PAKATAN Harapan’s second ceramah in Shah Alam yesterday in its nationwide roadshow on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was its best yet as part of the pact’s unity and energy to take down Barisan Nasional in the next elections.

An enthralled crowd listened with rapt attention and laughed as speakers from allied parties Bersatu, Amanah, DAP and PKR explained, with jokes aplenty, the complexities of alleged corruption in the state investor and its links to the powers that be.

But beyond a night of entertainment, PH supporters met after the ceramah said they were concerned that the momentum and support it has gained, especially after finalising its leadership line-up with Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the head, was not gaining traction in the PKR-led Selangor. 

They said if Selangor’s lacklustre support for PH continued, the pact’s goal to form a new federal government at the 14^th general election (GE14) might be shaky.

“This momentum must be sustained throughout the country. Ensure that no one tries to derail this pact, especially in Selangor,” said a PH supporter from Ampang, Mohamad Hafizul Rahman.

Hafizul was referring to the lukewarm response towards PH by some in the Selangor leadership, who still wanted to maintain cooperation with former ally, PAS. He singled out Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is also PKR deputy president.

Hafizul said he ought to be more resolute in joining the momentum established by PH.

“I worry that if Azmin continues to hesitate, he will be left behind later,” Hafizul said.

Azmin has been questioned about the delay in forming a state-level PH secretariat to face GE14 and still appears keen to work with PAS, despite the Islamist party’s clear decision to cut ties with PKR at its muktamar earlier this year, a move which was approved by its Syura Council.

Last night, Bersatu’s Dr Mahathir, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang and PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar and Rafizi Ramli shared the stage to talk about 1MDB and kleptocracy. The gathering was chaired by Shah Alam MP and Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.

The ceramah at Shah Alam’s IDCC Convention Centre was PH’s first programme in Selangor after the pact announced its official leadership line-up a few days ago.

Former political enemies Dr Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim lead it as chairman and de facto leader, respectively, while Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is PH president.

Another PH supporter at the ceramah, Mesni Dahlan, said support for PAS was eroding daily, especially after PH’s new leadership was announced.

“Many PAS supporters have withdrawn their support. Those who remain are the ustaz types, who took over the PAS leadership,” the former Subang PAS chief said.

Also present at the ceramah was a former Court of Appeals judge, who said he was confident that PH had a better chance of taking over the federal government.

“I think there is a bright opportunity for PH to take over the federal government, based on what was shown tonight,” he said, adding that the explanations on 1MDB had been presented clearly.

What was needed now, he said, was to ensure that PH’s message on kleptocracy would reach every voter, especially rural ones.

“Bersatu has a huge role in the effort to break down the wall of Malay voters who have been Umno’s fortress all this while,” the ex-judge said. – July 18, 2017.