Pakatan ends hunger strike

(The Malaysian Insider) – After 21 arrests and three days of hunger, Perak Pakatan Rakyat (PR) representatives have finally concluded their hunger strike.

Although most are aware that not eating for three days would do little for their cause, the representatives vowed that they were still determined to keep their struggle alive.

Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, in his speech at the programme’s closing ceremony here, told a crowd of black-clad representatives and supporters that the strike was only the beginning of PR’s fight for freedom.

“Unlike the other freedom fighters in the world, we have only fasted for three days. This shows that Pakatan’s fight is only at the starting point.

“We must continue for the good of our future generation,” he said.

Nizar also reiterated that the hunger strike was highly encouraged under Islamic law as it was sanctioned by Muslim scholars.

“Barisan Nasional tried to turn the people against us by saying that hunger strikes are against our religion but they are not right.

“If through fasting, one is able to create awareness of the tyranny and injustices in the world, then it is highly acceptable,” he said.

Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming said PR had received a total of 210 pledges from the public who wanted to join in on the strike.

“We also collected 4,500 signatures from the public during this 72-hour period, showing their support for the dissolution of the state assembly,” he said.

He added that earlier today, a total of 300 cups of coffee had been served to those dressed in black.

The PR had offered free cups of kopi-o to those dressed in black at the mamak shop near the Wisma DAP premises here from 7am to 7pm.

Uniformed police personnel, who caught wind of the “promotion”, were also seen camping out at the shop.

Police presence around Medan Istana, where the strike’s programmes were taking place, had remained heavy throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir too “broke fast” at the official mentri besar’s residence here at 7pm, around the same time as the PR.

According to Dr Zambry’s aid, the chief executive, along with several other Umno members and BN representatives too had gone on “puasa sunat”.

The aide denied that the fast was to counter PR’s hunger strike and steal media attention away from the closing ceremony of the strike.