IF Pakatan Harapan captures Putrajaya on May 9, then yesterday will be remembered as the beginning of the final march which toppled the Barisan Nasional government.

It is in this historic state that the Father of Independence Tunku Abdul Rahman unveiled then Malaya’s imminent independence in Dataran Pahlawan.

And the significance of the occasion was not lost on PH prime-minister-designate Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some 12,000 people who gathered there last night.

“I was not there when Tunku brought back news announcing Merdeka from England. But I am confident that it was a historical moment but not as historical as it is here tonight.

“This shows how strong Malaccans and Malaysians want to change the government,” he said to thunderous applause from the crowd.

The moment and its message of change were carried across the nation as thousands followed the proceedings on Facebook live.

The night was also a coming-out party for former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz, who has been running a rear-guard action against Najib Razak and his government on social media.

The former Umno Wanita head said she came out to speak openly against caretaker prime minister Najib Razak’s administration as they had “deviated” from the original plan for the country.

“The contractor that we have given the contract for Malaysia has abandoned us.

“Our house, Malaysia, now has all kinds of infestation. The house is ruined. This is why I have come out.

“Time to change the contractor, vote Pakatan Harapan on May 9,” Rafidah declared to thunderous applause.

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, a key Dr Mahathir ally, made an appearance but did not speak but at an earlier programme in the state, promised remedy for Malaysia‘s ailing economy in 18 months after PH captures Putrajaya.

Other PH leaders who spoke included PH president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Amanah president Mohammad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

All spoke along the same lines that Najib’s administration was bringing the country down and there needs to be change in government. 

A majority of the attendees were from the parliamentary constituency of Hang Tuah Jaya which used to be known as Bukit Katil. 

The demography of the seat was altered after the re-delianation process making it a Malay-majority seat making it difficult for PH incumbent Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin to retain it.

His opponent is former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam, whom Shamsul bested in GE13.

In a study done by research outfit Invoke last month, Malacca might have a hung state assembly after the 14th general election.

The latest study by Merdeka Centre released on May 3 said it will be difficult for PH to penetrate in Malacca as the BN popular vote stood at 49.9%.

The popular vote for PH in Malacca stands at 35.2% and 14.9% for PAS.

Malacca has six parliamentary seats and 28 state assembly seats. In the last general election, the opposition managed to win two parliamentary seats and six state seats.

BN won four parliamentary seats and 22 state seats.

But after last night’s show of force by PH, it may be a different story on May 9 after the ballots are counted not just in Malacca but for the rest of the nation. – May 5, 2018.