"THIS IS MY MESSAGE TO THE BN, TO PRIME MINISTER NAJIB AND TO (SABAH CHIEF MINISTER) MUSA (AMAN). I AM WARNING YOU. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE."

Anwar confident Sabah will lead the charge for change

KOTA KINABALU: Opposition big guns led by Anwar Ibrahim hit the town over the weekend to rally support from Sabahans to their cause.

Based on the turnout at many of the “open houses” organised by the Sabah DAP, support for the Barisan Nasional coalition appears to be waning.

Hundreds of cars stretching almost a kilometer lined the roadside near Kian Kok school just outside the city centre where Anwar and DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang spoke to a packed school hall here today.

In a speech, punctuated frequently with applause, Anwar urged Sabahans to take back power from their (BN) leaders, whom he said had failed them.

"I am optimistic that the people of Sabah will lead the change," he said.

He said the torrent of abuse and humiliations hurled at him was a desperate attempt by the government to divert attention from their failures.

"The Mongolian case, the missing engines, the submarine... These are all issues that they are trying to run away from," he said to laughter and applause from a riveted crowd that overflowed out of the school hall.

"Umno says they are defending the Malays but who is it that made the Malays poor?

"I am a Malay and I won't hide the fact that I will defend the Malays but I will also defend the rights of all Malaysians, the Chinese, the Indians, the Kadazans and Dusuns, the Bajaus.

"My message to the BN is don't underestimate the wisdom of the people.

"This is my message to the BN, to Prime Minister Najib and to (Sabah Chief Minister) Musa (Aman). I am warning you. Listen to the people."

The opposition leaders ended the event by unfurling a banner with Chinese characters that read 'Pakatan Rakyat A New Day'.

Political observers, surprised by the turnout, saw it as an ominous sign for the BN state government.

“I have never seen so many people come on their own initiative to listen to a politician,” said a retired civil servant who requested anonymity.

“Even when the prime minister comes he doesn't get such a crowd,” he said.