100,000 turnout

By Azurara Abas, V. Shuman and Hashini Kannan | news@nst.com.my 0 comments

DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS: The calm, orderly scene at Umno’s anniversary celebrations reflects the party’s devotion to peace and democracy

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor receiving a thunderous applause from the mammoth gathering of party members and supporters as they arrive at the 66th Umno anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Pic by Abdullah Yusof
1 / 1
THE National Stadium in Bukit Jalil hosted the country’s biggest political gathering in recent history last night, barely a fortnight after a similar gesture to organisers of Bersih 3.0 rally was turned down, sparking ugly scenes.
Some 100,000 members of Umno converged on the venue in a gathering marking the party’s 66th anniversary, conspicuously lacking tension, watched by noticeably calm policemen, in stark contrast to the April 28 illegal rally.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who rallied the troops in resplendent red, and bantered about their state of preparedness for the 13th general election, tore into the lack of respect for the law and peace on the part of organisers
and supporters of the April 28 rally.
The prime minister said the organisers had rejected the offer of the National Stadium followed by the historic Merdeka Stadium, suggesting it came too late in the day. “In actual fact, they had a full three days to change the venue,” said Najib, as the crowd roared their approval.
The prime minister said the hidden agenda was to cause chaos and make it to the international news broadcast.
Rallying the troops in resplendent red, Najib said the people should be able to evaluate which side was capable of preserving the supremacy of the Constitution, sovereignty of the country, laws, the sanctity of Islam, the Malay rulers and the rights of the other races in the country.
The fourth principle, he said, was the people's right to choose which party was capable of managing the country's economy, preserving the harmony and bringing about systematic reforms.
"And last, between BN and the opposition, which can transform Malaysia into a high-income nation?" he roared to the shouts of "Long Live Umno, Long Live Najib!" (Hidup Umno, Hidup Najib).
As the crowd continued, Najib sounded the battle cry.
"Should I have an audience with the king tomorrow? Are you ready for the election?", to which the crowd responded with a thunderous "Yes".

Read more: 100,000 turnout - Top News - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/100-000-turnout-1.83028#ixzz1ubgxqKKV