"The images of participants were taken before they started to move to
Dataran Merdeka. Later, the photographs were blown up as big as our computer
screen, which is seven inches by seven inches until the headcount could be
done," he said after attending a Bernama 44th anniversary event at Wisma Bernama
here today.
Hasnul said the seven locations were Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Tun Perak/Jalan
Silang junction; Jalan Sultan/Jalan Jebat junction; areas of Central Market;
Jalan Pasar Besar; Jalan Kinabalu and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
He was commenting on Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk
Seri Dr Rais Yatim''s statement that the total number of people who joined the
rally was 22,270 and not hundreds of thousands as claimed by the opposition.
"Our methodology for the headcount may not be the best but the numbers are
quite reasonable. It is quite close to the BBC''s (British Broadcasting
Corporation''s) configuration (25,000)," Hasnul said .
Although some people might dispute Bernama''s estimated figure, he said that
the total participants could never be more than 100,000 or 300,000 as claimed by
certain parties.
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HASNUL-METHODOLOGY 3 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
"We welcome those who want to know about this methodology. It is not the
best method but it does serve its purpose," he said, adding that Bernama''s
photo unit took two days to do the grid boxes as well as the counting.
Information, Communications and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang
graced the event where 38 employees received excellence awards while those who
had served Bernama for 15, 25 and 30 years and staff going on retirement were
also appreciated with long-service awards.
Also present were Bernama chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and Editor-in
Chief Datuk Yong Soo Heong.
-- BERNAMA
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