Rally fails to shake PM and Umno

IT is more interesting to look at the phenomenon of Bersih 4 and its after events, rather than focusing on the happenings at the rally, according to a Sept 2 commentary by Sin Chew Daily’s deputy executive editor-in-chief Tay Tian Yan.

The important points highlighted in the commentary included:

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Umno are not shaken by the Bersih rally

Najib’s support comes from Umno and the party’s foundation lies within the conservative Malays.

“As long as the conservative Malays are not rocked by the rally, Umno and Najib will not fall,” Tay said.

The conspicuous absence of middle-class Malays, whose support is crucial for the Bersih organiser and opposition parties, indicated they had either stayed out of or objected to the rally. This phenomenon had caused Bersih 4 to lose its racial balance.

MCA and Gerakan will become the biggest losers after the rally

After the huge loss in the last general election, both MCA and Gerakan have tried hard to win back support from the Chinese community.

In fact, the Barisan Nasional victory in the Teluk Intan by-election and the re-entry of the MCA and Gerakan leaders into the Cabinet, had given a glimmer of hope to these parties.

However, the 1MDB and Najib’s bank account issues, as well as the plunge of the ringgit and slowing of the economy, had ignited anger among the Chinese.

Since the Bersih participants had failed to rock Najib and his party, they might turn their anger on MCA and Gerakan.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s appearance at Bersih 4 failed to please both sides

Why did he show up? Tay questioned. He noted that the Malay nationalism promoted by Dr Mahathir could not find a place in the rally comprising 70% to 80% of Chinese. Who could be convinced that someone who had in the past violently suppressed public protests would support the rally?

With Umno and the conservative Malays accusing Dr Mahathir of betraying Umno and the Malay community, he will stand to lose his influence among the Malays.

Perhaps in his haste to force Najib to quit, Dr Mahathir had miscalculated his acts.

Anwar factor has faded

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was a key player in the previous Bersih rally, is in jail. But his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, could not lure in its supporters. Ironically, his arch rival, Dr Mahathir, came to the rally and received thunderous cheers from the crowd, noted Tay.

Hope from GHB dimmed

Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB), led by Mohamad Sabu, had failed to show its might to woo the Malay masses to attend the rally. It failed to rattle PAS. Even though there are several popular Malay PAS leaders in GHB, they could not exert their influence on PAS followers.

Hadi Awang is smiling

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had won his political bet. He had told PAS members not to join the rally, and had proven his ability to wield influence over his party members and supporters.

He had also proved that his friendly relationship with Umno did not backfire.

Reflections on the rally

Although the rally succeeded in getting the number it aimed for and it was held peacefully, it failed to achieve a racially-balanced crowd.

Hence, it would not be able to create any impact. In addition, its focus was blurred.

Several ugly incidents such as the stomping of images of political leaders, name-calling and cursing, had been allowed to happen during the rally.

This had caused anger in other communities and it might be more difficult for the Bersih organiser to hold rallies in future, said Tay.