“Some people can be very vain,” said Amanah Strategy Director Dzulkefly Ahmad in reference to criticism of the rally by PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Man. The PAS leader had said the rally, organised by Amanah, was a flop. He said the turnout was low probably because PAS was not involved in organising it.

Speaking to FMT, Dzulkefly said PAS would do better to keep silent since it had not even announced its current stance on the GST.

“PAS’ position on the GST is very precarious,” he said. “If you’re not going to hold your own rally against the GST, then it’s better if you just keep quiet.”

He said he was disappointed that such a statement would come from Tuan Ibrahim. He said he had known him to be a “sensible and reasonable person.”

Dzulkefly acknowledged that the turnout was lower than in previous rallies. He attributed this to the hot weather and the coincidence of the rally with the Qingming festival.

“The number of people who came out was modest given the trying and challenging weather,” he said. “Furthermore, it coincided with the Qingming festival, which is an important day for the Chinese community to show respect to their ancestors.”

In a statement issued today, Amanah President Mohamad Sabu thanked those who turned up for the rally, saying they had proven that people wanted a change in government and the abolition of the GST.

“The highest appreciation goes to the tens of thousands of people who were willing to protest, even enduring the hot weather for almost four hours,” he said.