Malaysiakini reported This is just the beginning, says polls coalition
by Bersih Steering Committee July 09, 2011
Bersih 2.0 is proud that in spite of all the obstacles and hindrances that we were forced to face, Malaysians of all walks of life overcame the oppressive acts of the police to come out peacefully and in incredibly large numbers to show their love for their country and for the principles of justice,” said the movement in a statement.
Today's gathering is not the end, it is but one more step in the long walk for clean and fair elections in Malaysia. The campaign continues, to work for electoral reform, the release of all detainees, and an end to harassment by the authorities. The struggle continues in the courts of law, the corridors of power, and the hearts of all the rakyat.
The eight points demanded by BERSIH for a clean / fair election :
1) Clean the electoral roll
2) Reform postal ballot
3) Use of indelible ink
4) Minimum 21 days campaign period
5) Free and fair access to media
6) Strengthen public institutions
7) Stop corruption
8) Stop dirty politics
There is a large number of people that turned up, more than what was witnessed in Bersih v1.0, about 60,000. Compared to Bersih v1.0, the lockdown was heavier in v2.0. v2.0 is very multiracial. Despite terrible lockdowns, the rain, instigations by some mad people, chinese told to stock up food, broken promises by some authorities, questionable denial to make the rally legal and various preposterous stories made up and thrown onto Bersih despite Bersih being very cooperative, the numbers of people rallying became larger. That will mean, not only BERSIH are making the demands. The Rakyat (citizens) also demands for Electoral Reform.
It is unfathomable on why there is perception that the request for fair and free election is bad and need to be locked down this way.
Isn't fair and free election supposed to be an integral part of democracy?
A big crowd has gathered at Puduraya in the rain. Notice Hentian Puduraya at the background.
Facing the big crowd is a heavy police presence complete with personnels, black marias, tear gas, FRU truck at disposal.
On top of the irritating roadblocks by police, which Bersih opposers easily pass on the blame to Bersih, various LRT and monorail stations are made not operational on this fine day of the rally. Almost the entire KL and some parts of neighbouring Selangor have been locked down although the rally was supposed to be at Stadium Merdeka. The crowd didn't make it there due to massive police blockade. Finally, the rally ended up at 5 spots, of which, the biggest group walked from Puduraya to KLCC.
Rally participants come from all over Malaysia. These people are from Johor. An activist (Hii Tiong Huat) from Sarawak was caught yesterday while rallying alone at Petaling Street.
Rally participants taking picture with a photo of our Prime Minister, Najib who originally claimed that the rally probably could happen in a Stadium. However, it is said that he had left Malaysia today for some matters (unconfirmed). Notice that part of his government's famous slogan appears in the picture "Rakyat Didahulukan" meaning "Citizens Comes First". One should abide by his promise.
A bus stop with the pictures of Malaysian Prime Minister and Communist China Premier Wen Jiabao. Malaysia welcomed Premier Wen Jiabao to our homeland months back.
Rally is bad for business ? Look at the amount of people going into the Mart. If there is no lockdown and rally declared legal, possibly most business will be great judging by outstation KL-ites coming into KL.
History has been made. The BIGGEST RALLY IN MALAYSIA to date. The multi-racial crowd has spoken ! There must be Electoral Reform !
Posts on BERSIH rally version 2.0:
Due to the police blockade at Stadium Merdeka, the rally participants walked to KLCC.
Look at the crowd, it is multi-racial and the number of people coming is so big even without counting the overseas participants. The view goes into sublime.
The rally reached KLCC with a helicopter hovering everybody there.
This is the age of technology, smartphones, cameras for recording this historical event are abound.
A rally participant states some of the 8 points for demand on a cardboard which was carried along the rally.
Rally participants sat down to listen to some speech before roughly dispersed by police and FRU
Electoral Reform must happen. The crowd is so large (50,000) that the view went all the way into the sublime. There you go , we are now part of History !
