DAP Mandarin forum in Petaling Jaya draws huge audience

A large crowd showed up for the DAP Mandarin Forum which was titled “BN vs PR – What’s the Choice?” at the Petaling Jaya Community Library Hall, Jalan Selangor (opposite Assunta Hospital) in PJ Old Town on December 4, 2012.

Those who came late had to stand outside as all the seats inside the air-conditioned hall were packed to the brim.

The speakers on that day were DAP MPs Teresa Kok (Seputeh), Tony Pua (PJ Utara) and Teo Nie Ching (Serdang), DUN Bukit Gasing special assistant Kasthuri Patto and newly  recruited member Yeo Bee Yin, a young professional and a Cambridge University alumna.

The forum in Mandarin was targetted for the Mandarin-speaking audience. It started at 8.30 pm and lasted almost four hours with the speakers taking turns to speak on current issues in the country.

However, Kasthuri Patto who was the first speaker of the event spoke in Bahasa Malaysia.

She said: “The people are ready for the 13^th general election but the government is not ready. Why are they afraid to call for a election now? The people are fed up with the behavior and the dirty politics of the BN government.

“I am sure of the bravery of all of you here tonight. Do not be afraid of change. We have seen change taking place in the four states in Malaysia under Pakatan Rakyat rule.

“The people can see for themselves what Pakatan Rakyat can offer and do to provide good governance for the people.

“The people of Malaysia is ready for change.”

Before she ended her speech which touched on various issues, she surprised and delighted the attentive audience with her knowledge of Mandarin.

In a loud voice, she it said these four words twice: “Wo men yao huang! Wo men yao huang!” “[We want change! We want change!]

Then she asked these three words twice: “Huang shen mo? Huang shen mo?” (Change what? Change what?)

“Huang zheng fu!” (Change government!) came the thunderous applause she got from the audience.