Reflections from a Chinese Malaysian who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally
I WAS one of those minority non-Malays who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally last Saturday. Crowd size debates aside, it was a success.
Peaceful, orderly, and held with purpose. But if we are being honest, something was missing, and it was not just the numbers.
What stood out most to me was the diversity, or in this case, the lack of it. I have been attending rallies since the Bersih days. Back then, the streets were filled with Malaysians from all walks of life and different backgrounds.
The vibes were euphoric and there was a festival-like atmosphere to it. You felt like you were part of something bigger.
At 'Turun Anwar', that multiracial spirit was hardly there. As a Chinese Malaysian, I could not help but notice how few non-Malays were present.
This is not a criticism of those who stayed home, but a reflection of how disconnected they feel from today's opposition.
A key part of this disconnect lies with the opposition leadership. For a movement to feel national, its leaders must sound national too. Instead, we are left with someone who once openly declared himself 'Malay first'.
That statement, though made years ago, continues to shape public perception. It is difficult to expect broader support when the top opposition figure still carries the weight of that remark.
This is not a personal attack on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin but it is fair to say that many Malaysians do not see him as a leader for all.
His passivity as head of the country's opposition bloc stood in stark contrast from the passionate leadership that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had portrayed when the latter was leading the charge to bring down Barisan Nasional.
Anwar's fiery speeches and how he was victimised by state apparatus such as going to jail, captured the imaginations of Malaysians. As head of the opposition coalition, Muhyiddin was content with rehashing media statements.
Sadly, most non-Malays do not relate to the eighth prime minister, especially with several court cases hanging over his head and a son-in-law who is on the run.
The opposition needs someone who can bring all Malaysians together with credibility and vision.
Malaysia deserves an opposition that is inclusive, forward-looking, and unafraid to lead. Until then, many of us will stay away from such rallies and for better or worse, opt for the lesser of the two evils.
Unless, of course, a new figure steps forward to change the conversation. ‒ July 28, 2025
Sebastian Ong
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Malay Mail/Firdaus Latif
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