KUALA LUMPUR: As thousands of Malaysians poured onto the streets of the country, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he would continue to battle over 30 seats lost in the May 5 general election. If successful in contesting the seats, it would be enough to oust the ruling government. And his supporters are rallying. "We are here to show that the opposition to the same-old policies of old will not continue. Anwar is the victor and this is what we are doing here by demanding to be heard," one female protester told Bikyanews.com. Others agreed as they chanted for a just outcome to the recent poll. Police said about 60,000 opposition supporters gathered at a stadium near Kuala Lumpur last night, defying threats of arrest and heavy rains. The crowd blew horns, chanted “ubah" – - or “change" — and wore black T-shirts with “050513" to mark the date of the poll won by Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition, which lost a majority of the popular vote for the first time in 44 years amid a record 85 percent turnout. “We will continue this struggle and we will never surrender," Anwar told his supporters. “This is merely the beginning of the battle between the rakyat and an illegitimate, corrupt and arrogant government," he said, using the Malay word for “people." The election, although praised internationally has set Malaysia ablaze, and has shown the increasing divides that have existed in the country fro some time. While the government says they will move forward on a new government, Anwar and his army of protesters say they won't let up until justice is had. "We want the truth and will stay here until we get it," another protester in Kuala Lumpur said. BN
