What's next after Black 505, Pakatan Rakyat's nationwide mass rallies, following the May 5 general election which saw BN back in federal power?

This is the prevailing question on the minds of many who attended Penang's public forum on Pakatan's failure to form the federal government despite winning the popular vote of 52 percent in the polls.

NONE"I know there is frustration," said PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli (right), one of the panel speakers at the forum organised by the state's information department last night.

"But think of this, in the last 20 years, has anyone ever thought that five states would fall to a government other than BN in 2008?" he asked.

"It was unthinkable. That is why I tell everyone, don't despair, it is a maturing process but everything is on our side and everything is against them (BN)," said Rafizi to loud cheers from the packed hall in Komtar's dome.

2008 loss margins trimmed

"This is because no reasonable person wants corruption, oppression, racism, or Rosmah, to continue," Rafizi cracked, triggering an explosion of a laugher and applause from the 1,000-strong crowd.

Rafizi was taking a sly dig at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor, who is often the butt of taunts for her alleged spending sprees.

He is leading a team to probe alleged electoral fraud in 27 parliamentary seats nationwide, where election petitions are expected to be filed in the coming days.

The forum entitled, 'Real reason why Pakatan won the popular votes' was officiated by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and moderated by Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.

The other panel speakers were DAP's election strategist Ong Kian Ming and PAS Kuala Selangor MP Zulkefly Ahmad.

Rafizi went on to say that in the polls, there were many seats where Pakatan had managed to trim their 2008 loss margins.

However, Pakatan is expected to win these seats in the 14th general election which must be called by 2018, said a very confident Rafizi.

Nail fraud, win polls

"With due respect to the wisdom of the people, we will wait because if not today, it will happen tomorrow and it is only a matter of time that Umno or BN fall," he said.

NONE"We have to expose the fraud because it is fraud that delays the time for change. If not for this, we would have won now," added PKR's director of strategy.

"Today, we allow them to win, it is only a matter of five years," he noted.

Rafizi said Pakatan would continue to push for electoral reforms as their opponents are "weakened by the day".

He added that as a result of this, the Election Commission would have no choice but to consult and compromise with Pakatan when it conducts its redelineationexercise later this year.

"Or else there might not be a delineation in sight," he warned, again drawing cheers from the crowd.

"Apart from this, we must continue to have critical awareness, educate Malaysians on the election fraud that is happening, because no rational human being would allow such corruption to go on," he added.

"Rest assured, in the next general election, we would have enough people to submerge all the kinds of cheating that is going on and we will win the elections, insyaallah," he vowed.

Meanwhile, Ong said the people can take to the streets in Bersih 4.0 if changes were not forthcoming after Pakatan takes election fraud cases to the courts or Parliament.


'BN in tight situation' 

His suggestion earned him a resounding 'Yes' from the multiracial audience.

"We have to try our best in all areas, whether it is registering more voters, pressuring the EC or getting information to all of you so that you can tell other people (about) the real situation," he said.

NONEOng, the Serdang MP, also provided reasons why Pakatan is expected to win the next round.

"BN is defensive as it has more marginal seats to defend (52) compared to Pakatan's 30.

"There would be many more younger voters registered, the politics of race and religion would no longer be relevant.

"The impact of social media would decrease the influence of the mainstream media.

Infighting in the BN will increase, fracturing Umno in the peninsula and Sabah and PBB in Sarawak will spell the end of BN after Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, he said.-malaysiakini