The Fuse on Anwar’s 505 Rallies Has Fizzled Out

When even the Malaysia Chronicle is struggling to spin Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's rallies, things really are looking bad for the Opposition leader. "Tiny in size, big in spirit," Chronicle claimed of Monday night's Black 505 rally in Perlis, this time not even bothering to find doctored images of giant crowds.
But even that short and rather gutsy line seems perhaps too optimistic when describing the Parti Keadilan Rakyat 'Advisor' and the level of his support at the moment.

"Tiny" seems right, but "big in spirit"? With DAP and PAS allies dropping like flies, with his favourite blogs like Malaysiakini struggling to keep the comment boards 'on message', "A Tiny, Damp Squib" might be a more appropriate headline.

The police had warned the public prior to the event that Pakatan organisers had not obtained the necessary permission to gather at vacant lot in Jalan Raja Syed Alwi – rendering the gathering illegal and perhaps putting off Perlis' many law abiding citizens (even those that may have voted for Pakatan) from attending.
But then again, if Anwar's supporters really believed in a cause in the way he wants everyone to think, would they let something as comparatively trivial as an arrest get in their way?
The fact of the matter is that Anwar's irresponsible and poorly organised rallies are losing support from the rakyat.

Arranged haphazardly, in awkward locations, often with little notice, the rallies are a recipe for disaster.
The ten-day rule required under the Peaceful Assembly Act exists not merely to provide authorities the time to set up for an event, but also to allow organisers to work with police to ensure public safety. Yet attendees at recent rallies have reported that because of the poor planning, there is a real danger of a stampede or riot if even a stray firework is launched.

Whatever the benefit to Anwar of these rallies, the potential loss of life, the poor organisation and the rakyat's desire to solve the issues that concern the country are taking a toll on their momentum.
Anwar has said the Pakatan will only stop the 'gatherings' if both the chairman and deputy chairman of the Election Commission resign.

Anwar has also demanded re-elections be held in some 30 seats where he claims that electoral fraud has been "most strongly detected" – though he has yet to offer proof to either the police, the EC or the international observers who signed off on the veracity of GE13.

Instead, he appears intent on having rallies for the sake of rallies, no matter the danger to the rakyat – and his own cause.