Rahman Dahlan mocks Bersih 4 rally, says BN has grassroots strength

An Umno minister today took potshots at the Bersih 4 rally, saying that despite the four rallies organised by the electoral reforms group so far, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government was still standing strong. In a series of tweets on his account @mpkotabelud, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan also said that the real challenge was tackling the grassroots which, he added, was BN's forte. "4 Bersih rallies & the govt is still standing. When will these ppl realise that the real battle is at grassroots, which is BN's forte?" the BN strategic communications director said in his tweets. "There is more to winning an election. It's not just about donning coloured t shirts, camping overnight or blowing vuvuzelas, rowdy & noisy!" Rahman also attempted to downplay the number of participants at the Bersih 4 rally, which organisers have now estimated to be 300,000, up from 100,000 people at its peak yesterday. "100k+? Mana ada! Don't flatter yourself la. But at 20k count, it is still a good effort of Bersih4," he said. When asked by Twitter user Syamsul Al-Jitrawi if he was feeling threatened by the huge number, the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister reiterated that history had shown that rallies have failed to overthrow the government. "Feeling a wee bit threatened now you need to convince yourself of this fact?," asked Syamsul, via his handle @Syamsul_Azhar. Rahman replied: "Not at all. BN has proven it time and again. Rallies won't change this reality." He, however, agreed with another Twitter user @muhdyunus5179 that acts of activism were not meant to overthrow the government, but act as a voice of conscience for the government. "This statement is ok," the minister said. Even as the Bersih 4 rally at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, passed the 24-hour mark, support for the gathering seems to be holding strong with organisers saying that around 300,000 people had turned up today. Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said more are expected to turn up tonight for the rally's finale at midnight. Despite the scorching afternoon heat, many rally-goers are staying put at Dataran Merdeka and its vicinity as they get set for the various programmes leading to the finale at midnight. – August 30, 2015.