Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Opposition supporters now richer and bolder?

In the 1960s, opposition leaders like Dr. Tan Chee Khoon lamented that people were afraid to show their support for the opposition parties. He gave an example of how some Chinese businessmen lent their commercial vehicles for his use during election campaigns, and found to their shock and disappointment, their vehicle licences were cancelled or could not be renewed.

It would be naive to think Pakatan won Penang and Selangor without the help of some anonymous wealthy supporters and those under government employment and even card-carrying members of BN parties. So many unfair incidents happened and the number of unhappy victims and their relatives and friends, accumulated over half a century must have made a difference.

It is in a way surprising that someone who could afford to own a private jet, has lent it to Anwar and associates to facilitate their travel to East Malaysia. Surely, his identity cannot remain a secret for long, and his gesture was bold under the circumstances. We all know how BN could retaliate in an unsporting manner, against anyone found to be helping the opposition. Even an NGO for human rights like Suaram found to its dismay and headache, the close scrutiny of its funding, accounts and activities by several authorities. Never mind the fact that it was in existence for more than 20 years before, without such investigations.

It is also unsurprising that some people with deep pockets are willing to take sides, to be on the side of the riskier challengers rather than the incumbents, because they are either fed-up of the status quo or they feel Pakatan now has the best chance to rule.

Anwar may use executive jet during election
http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=41510:anwar-may-use-executive-jet-during-election&Itemid=2
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