Kuala Lampur, July 24 -- On June 22, 2013, people descended on Padang Merbok.

More than a month after a general election, Pakatan Harapan folks dreamt seven weeks of nationwide protest rallies since May 5 polling day culminated in a city crescendo.

Instead, a tepid gathering of thousands in a moderate haze marked the end of the pointless reactionary scream and started the longer slog to 2018, when Pakatan eventually won power.

More than 12 years ago those events. Two days away is the "Turun Anwar" rally. A haze has already descended on the city for this weekend's festivities and media folks ready their goggles to count the turnout between liquid sips.

This column recorded in 2013: The last (#Black505) rally was on June 22 at the city'...