20,000 SAY WHY NOT: YOU READY? WE READY!

Raja Petra and the forever radiant Marina had invited Malaysians to be part of their 35th Wedding Anniversary Bash. Malaysians have a penchant for big parties, so the grounds of the venerable Kelab Sultan Sulaiman was inundated with 20,000 Bangsa Malaysians eager to party. Like in all great bash, you need to have a mysterious guest of honor. Pete's GOH was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, celebrating his release from the five-year-ban inflicted by some kangaroo court. Now here is the surprise! Displaying the old school charm sadly missing these days, Pete whispered to DSAI......"Datuk Seri, today is an auspicious day for you....you are free....you will celebrate only once the significance of April 14 2008." " But today is your wedding anniversary!" insisted Anwar.
"Then you will have to throw a humongous wedding anniversary party for me when you become the PM", Pete pouted in typical RPK repartee.


Once this was agreed and Emcee CheguBard was alerted, Malaysians stood at attention and sang the National Anthem. I choked and stifled a sob.....I seem to be doing this of late whenever the Negara Ku is sung. Then the Keadilan anthem was sung.....stirring stanzas sung with vehement gusto....raising the hackles on my nape. When Datuk Seri Anwar was invited to speak, he put aside his prepared speech that was supposed to honor Raja Pete.

I THINK I SAW HARIS' HUMMING BIRD PICK UP THE SCRIPT FROM THE PODIUM,....LIKE HOW SHE GOT A COPY OF TENGKU FARIS UMNO PREPARED SCRIPT.

Datuk Seri Anwar spoke for close to an hour and I must admit that the contents came from the heart. In front of a majority Malay assemblage, with Chinese and Indian admirers making up some 10% of the gathering, he repeatedly used the expression KETUANAN RAKYAT. He said it close to 8 times and everytime accompanied by appreciative applause and cheers from the throng. He said many things else but to me "KETUANAN RAKYAT" was a welcome refrain from the maniacal chilling "Ketuanan Melayu " bandied about by a desperate UMNO.

! was standing some three feet away from the podium and I heard orders from above me: "Block" followed by many more similar instructions around me. I turned to my right and I saw the police chief and his boys making their way to the podium. But the people blocked their progress. It was then that I saw Anwar turn to the right and said, "Kasi lepas". (Let him thru.) People were not happy. Boos and catcalls drowned whatever transpired between Datuk and the cop. I gave my share too: I shouted:"Next year be ready to be his escort!" I got an appreciative slap on the shoulder and a buffalo-type stare from a young confused and seemingly helpless cop.

It was learnt later that the cop asked Datuk Seri if he could wind up his speech. He wound down by declaring that he forgave all those who harmed him during those trying days. The Negaru Ku was sung again and the evening ended with a cacophony of REFORMASI, REFORMASI, REFORMASI.

Since we were below the grandstand we helped the media up onto the grandstand. However, the RTM and TV3 crew were not allowed into the press conference. I thought that was not nice.Those boys were just doing their job and we have a choice not to tune in. Whatever, just my dua sen.

TV Smith and I did not attend the press conference as that could be left to Tony Yew (remember to watch his YewTube when he puts it up soon) and Haris Ibrahim. SB Loy beckons. Stiff onces for TV Smith and I.

Sorry Marina and Pete, we could not join your gang at Delicious....we had appointments to keep with some guests at the NPC. However I am waiting for the party DSAI promised to throw for both of you......in the meantime stay close together.

PICS COURTESY OF TV SMITH'S SIGHTINGS.