Analysts have urged parties in the unity government not to mobilise their members for an upcoming rally in support of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, saying ordinary Malaysians should be allowed to show their backing for him in an authentic way.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said this would allow the rally to proceed organically without any political agenda, especially since it was being organised by an NGO.
Mazlan said ordinary Malaysians were deterred from taking part in gatherings such as the recent Turun Anwar rally due to a perception that they were politically motivated.
“If politicians organise or get involved, there will be some scepticism and apprehension, and apathy even, to these gatherings among the rakyat.
“But it’s different if it’s organised by certain independent NGOs and they’re stating support for the prime minister based on the principle that he’s a leader who has benefited the people,” he told FMT.
Awang Azman said political gatherings have lost their traction among Malaysians as they do not revolve around their needs or issues close to their hearts.
Unlike in the Reformasi era, when street demonstrations were common, social media has given Malaysians an alternative platform to air their grouses and views, he said.
“Malaysians now prefer digital activism, online petitions and dialogues on social media rather than taking to the streets. Political awareness more often takes place in the form of such ‘daily politics’.
“In the case of the Turun Anwar rally, the lack of a clear objective and concrete alternative made it hard to attract people. The same goes for the rally to support the prime minister; if it’s purely symbolic without any meaningful content, it won’t excite the people,” he said.
Gabungan Teksi SeMalaysia is set to stage a rally at Dataran Merdeka on Sept 27 to express support for Anwar, following last Saturday’s Turun Anwar gathering at the same venue.
Its president, Kamarudin Hussain, said the group believes Anwar has the vision and ability to steer the country towards a more just and prosperous future.
Kamarudin, the former Selayang PKR chief, also invited Anwar to attend the rally in person.
Mazlan said keeping the pro-Anwar rally free of political involvement would lend the perception that the support for the prime minister was coming from actual Malaysians.
“That means it’s not politically-organised but by Malaysians who are politically aware. And groups like this one representing taxi drivers are close to the rakyat.
“When you have such organisations stating support for the prime minister through such a gathering, it’s perceived as real support for the prime minister, compared with the Turun Anwar rally, which was mobilised by the opposition.”
Police estimated that around 18,000 people attended the Turun Anwar rally, though PAS claimed that more than 200,000 rally-goers were present.
Awang Azman said the non-involvement of political figures would signal that support for Anwar stems not from party machinery, but from ordinary Malaysians who genuinely back the unity government’s policies.
He also said the political value of such rallies far outweigh slogans, adding that what the rakyat wants to see was effective policies.
Awang Azman said Anwar should not attend the rally in person to avoid politicising the gathering. However, it would be good for him to deliver a message to attendees through a video to express his appreciation.
“He can then stress that he’s more focused on his job and resolving the people’s issues – from the economy to prices of goods and institutional reforms – instead of basking in the support at a gathering.”
