Witnessing an historical event

Place: Sultan Sulaiman Club (Kelab Sultan Sulaiman), Kampung Baru, KL.

First historical event:

On March 1, 1946, the first Pan-Malayan Malay Congress was held at this club, gathering Malays from all 11 states in the peninsula, representing 41 associations and parties that opposed Britain's Malayan Union plan.

This is the place of birth of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy).

It was also here Datuk Onn Jaafar proposed forming the first mass-based Malay party, the United Malays Organisation (later Umno).

Second historical event:

On April 14, 2008, some 20,000 people gathered at the club to listen to Anwar’s first speech after his Pakatan Rakyat’s overwhelming victory in the March 8 GE.

I was there and it was an electrical atmosphere with Anwar making use of all his oratory skills to entice, engage and keep the crowd asking for more.

And just like 62 years ago, once again the club saw the birth of a new political concept - Anwar’s Ketuanan Rakyat (People’s Supremacy).

And I think unlike Onn Jaafar, Anwar is not at risk of being alienated for suggesting a multi-racial party in Malaysia.

In fact, based on the crowd reaction last night, he might just be able to achieve the multi-racial concept in Malaysian political landscape.

(pix courtesy of jimin lai)