The Sungai Besar Umno division chief claimed that the whole event was reminiscent of how Umno runs such programmes, with everyone wearing red and the stage also being typical of Umno events.
“The way they copied Umno and pro-Umno NGOs is the actual reason behind their failure,” Jamal told FMT.
He said he had received feedback that Pakatan Harapan supporters are not interested in an Umno-like rally as it seems as though the opposition have lost their identity.
“They have lost their initial identity, from their ‘Reformasi’ days.
“If they continue to copy Umno and Barisan Nasional , they will lose their supporters.”
Jamal said even PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad had failed to rally up support after the Umno-like rally.
However, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu disagreed, saying that the low turnout at the PH anti-kleptocracy rally yesterday was due to a lack of participation from youths, whom he said preferred rallying on the streets.
“Youth do not prefer rallies like this that feature ceramahs. They prefer to march on the streets,” he said.
PH had expected 100,000 people to attend the rally it organised at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya, but the official number according to the opposition pact was 25,000.
However, this was disputed by the police, who had put the actual number at around 4,000.
But the PH deputy president, who is more popularly known as Mat Sabu, said he was happy despite the lower turnout.
He also did not rule out the possibility of organising yet another rally before the next general election (GE14), which must be held within the next 10 months.
Meanwhile, Jamal did not show up to the rally despite having threatened to sell fish cheaply from noon at Padang Timur, where the gathering was held.
He said that due to advice from the police, as well as the Petaling Jaya city council (MBPJ), he had decided not to show up.
The “Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy” rally marks the end of a nationwide road show by the opposition coalition on the alleged misuse of 1MDB funds. The campaign had started on July 6 in Kepala Batas, Penang.