Ijok: Naming the Candidate, Launching the Campaign

The mad rush is in full swing, so just a very basic post.

Check out the full set of pictures. Hopefully, we’ll have full videos up soon. In the meantime, here’s the Malaysiakini cut (will try to embed later).

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Drove down with a fun gang, convoy-style, flags waving and all. It was really heartening to get all the waves and honks on the way up – it was even better than I expected.

There were some crazy jams due to roads being tarred :P Later that night, the crowd was really responsive when we talked about how it was all a big scam – that was heartening too!

Dinner with my travelling mates – the Suara Keadilan reporters and some guys from the Anwar Ibrahim Club, people in the kitchen getting jiggy with our flag, and a taste of multi-ethnic Ijok.

 

 

The fanfare begins! Indian drumming group, Kompang troupe, and Lion Dancers! Oh meriahnye! See the MK Video for a better sense :)

 

 

 

Party/Opposition unity!

 

 

(That’s the Timbalan Presiden PAS, Nasaruddin Mat Isa)

Some Crowd Pics

 

Dato’ Nalla came out in full support, effectively countering any claims of intra-party disunity.

 

The party president was cheerful, but also described what a tough choice choosing the candidate was.

Anwar was in full form again, taking issues – including criticisms of himself – by the horns, and not shying away from anything. He drove home the point that above all else, the many claps and cheers that night must turn into votes. I can’t offer an in depth analysis of the rest of his points at the moment, still a bit too frazzled :P

 

Tan Sri Khalid, the man of the night, gave a first class performance – much of which was caught by the Malaysiakini articles (thanks for the great coverage!). He had a rousing ‘Reformasi!’ chant – I was so caught up in it, I forgot to take the perfect picture! :P

 

The crowd seemed to respond really well to his local-boy credentials, and his candidacy seems to have gotten people really excited. I think this is what happens when you show people you’re serious by fielding one of the top leaders.

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I should get back to work. As always, field internet connections, etc will be sketchy, but we’ll do our level best to keep you updated! Maybe I’ll see if politikus is interested in helping out, hehe :)