Thousands rally against election result

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Malaysians dressed in mourning black gathered yesterday to denounce elections which they claim were stolen through fraud by the coalition that has ruled for 56 years.

The rally was called by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has vowed a “fierce” campaign for electoral reform after losing Sunday’s vote and has said he would soon produce evidence of fraud by what he calls an ` illegitimate’ government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s Barisan Nasional government has hotly denied the opposition’s numerous allegations of cheating.

It also denounced the gathering in a 25,000- seat stadium on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement, the coalition said Anwar has “deliberately chosen a small stadium to ensure it will spill onto the streets. His protest is calculated to create unrest.”

Police had earlier threatened to arrest participants in last night’s rally.

“I think they should redo the election,” said university student Tan Han Hui. “I’m here to support democracy.”

Participants filled the stadium’s stands and spilled onto the football field.

Anwar says the election was stolen via “unprecedented electoral fraud” and has called on Malaysians across the country to wear black in protest.

Among other allegations, voters complained that indelible ink — meant to thwart multiple voting — easily washed off.

Accounts of suspected foreign `voters’ being confronted by angry citizens at polling centres went viral online.

Anwar had alleged a government scheme to fly tens of thousands of `dubious’ and possibly foreign voters to flood key constituencies.

The government has poured scorn on the allegations.

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs and Centre for Public Policy Studies cited concerns including partisan use of government machinery, pro- government media bias and doubts over the integrity of voter rolls.

The election was “only partially free and not fair”, the report said.

Police originally said the rally was illegal as organisers did not give authorities the required 10 days’ notice.

Yesterday, they said it could go ahead but warned participants could face subsequent legal action for any “seditious” speech.

Both the United States and European Union congratulated Najib on his win but urged him to address reports of irregularities. — AFP

AFP photo POLLS RESULT QUESTIONED: Supporters of the opposition gather at a stadium in Kelana Jaya, Selangor during a rally. Thousands attended the protest rally against weekend election that the opposition said was tainted by massive fraud, despite police...