Hundreds of ‘Dr Mahathirs’ attended a Pakatan Harapan rally here last night even though the actual Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was in Putrajaya.
Attendees made up for the former prime minister’s absence by donning masks with his likeness.
They were part of a creative gambit by Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, who distributed over 3,000 such masks in the Ayer Hitam federal constituency that he is contesting.
Also present were DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Liew, incumbent Yong Peng assemblyman Chew Peck Choo, PH’s Bakri candidate Yeo Bee Yin, and incumbent Damansara MP Tony Pua.
“Before I end my speech, can we show our unified support towards Mahathir as our prime minister candidate?” Lim said before the masks were handed out to the crowd.
Liew explained later that the move was in response to the Election Commission’s removal of Dr Mahathir’s visage from campaign billboards as the former prime minister is not a candidate in the area and not a PKR leader.
Towards the end of his speech, Lim asked the thousand-strong crowd to switch on their mobile phone’s flashlight and put on the masks that were distributed earlier.
With the area turning into a light show, the crowd chanted “Pakatan Harapan” several times before the event came to an end.
The Ceramah Perdana Harapan Yong Peng held at Dataran Gemilang here last night was one of the mega ceramahs planned for the central Johor region.
Another took place simultaneously in Simpang Renggam, where PH deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin spoke.
Liew is set to take on MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, the Ayer Hitam incumbent, and PAS’ Mardi Marwan in a three-cornered fight for the federal seat. – Malay Mail