Malaysians must not be disheartened by loss of one parliamentary and five state assembly seats during Nomination Day yesterday but must work harder for People’s Power to triumph over Najib and UMNO/BN

I was confronted by a concerned Malaysian during the Johor Jaya walkabout asking what to do now that Pakatan Harapan has lost one parliamentary and five state assembly seats during Nomination Day yesterday.

I am sure that this is a question many Malaysians are asking, and my answer is that we should not be disheartened but must treble our efforts to bring about political change in Malaysia and demonstrate that People’s Power can triump over the chicaneries and trickeries of Datuk Seri Najib Razak and UMNO/BN.

What has happened so far has only validated what the international magazine Economist reported recently that Najib Razak is a thief and would steal the 2018 general election.

The constituency redelineation, which is the worst gerrymandering in the nation’s 61-year history, together with the 3Ms of money, mass media and (government) machinery, the biggest theft of elections is set to take place on May 9, 2018.

This is why we must change the rules of the game, so that these calculations of these UMNO/BN strategists could be proven wrong.

We have so far three “game-changers”. Firstly, the Prime Minister and UMNO President for 22 years, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, leading Pakatan Harapan to bring about the downfall of UMNO/BN, changing considerably the dynamics of Malaysian politics, although UMNO/BN is escalating the politics of race, fear and hatred.

Secondly, the DAP decision not to use the Rocket logo which had been used for 52 years, to send a clear and unmistakable message that Malaysians must be prepared to make sacrifices and vote as a Malaysian, transcending race, religion, region and even political party affiliation, to support Pakatan Harapan to effect political change in Malaysia. This message is directed in particular at the 3.6 million UMNO members, one million MCA members and one million PAS members.

Thirdly, DAP leaders contesting in comparatively more risky constituencies to ensure that Pakatan Harapan can win every possible parliamentary seat so that Pakatan Harapan can win at least 119 parliamentary constituencies to form the new Malaysian Government on May 9, 2018.

Let Malaysians form and demonstrate People’s Power in the 14th General Elections by voting solidly for a Pakatan Harapan government in Putrajaya and in Nusajaya for a new Johor State Government as well.

Lim Kit Siang DAP Parliamentary Leader