BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 2

Malaysiakini reported Bersih 2.0 hails rally as a success
by Kuek Ser Kuang Keng Jul 9, 11, 5:42pm
Bersih 2.0 has hailed its rally as a victory for the movement and the people of Malaysia, claiming that up to 50,000 people had participated, supportting its cause for clean and fair elections.

"We consider this a big success because fighting for clean and fair election is not a one-day walk," Subramaniam Pillay, one of Bersih 2.0's steering committee members, told a press conference after the rally.

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 !

Hidup ! Hidup ! BERSIH, BERSIH !

Malaysians, you have made it !

Posts on BERSIH rally version 2.0:

BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 2

Posts on BERSIH rally version 1.0:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
We have to BERSIH-kan Malaysia
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 1

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.

The chinese text means "Gan Jing".. Clean or Bersih in Mandarin.

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:

BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH v2.0 : The Yellow Electoral Reform Wave (Pics) Part 2

Posts on BERSIH rally version 1.0:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
We have to BERSIH-kan Malaysia
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

First-Time Voters Guide and RCER Petition

I was requested to post this subject : People Are The Boss : How do you vote? A Picture Guide for First-timers?

Thank you to the person for producing such an important document. However, I was told that the boxes above will be transparent and there will be no serial number on the election slip this coming election.

By right, Malaysia is supposed to use indellible ink for Election 2008. It was even agreed upon in the first place. However, this fella, Election Commission Chief by the name of Rashid Abdul Rahman made a mind-boggling last minute about-turn decision of revoking the usage of the ink with an explanation which sounds more like an excuse than a reason. Not a single point from the main four points of BERSIH demands are being fulfilled.

One wonders why he did not make a proper research on this issue earlier before making a decision months back. I hope Barisan Nasional people will forgive him on this issue. I condemn the moves of Vandals who splashed paint on the election chief's house.

Meanwhile, if you feel you should support a Royal Commission for Electoral Reform (RCER), you can sign the petition here. Someone informed me on this by e-mail:

http://www.petitiononline.com/RCER2008/petition-sign.html

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported Nine buses stopped by PAS in T'ganu ( Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Mar 7, 08 11:11am )
Allegedly, PAS supporters in Terengganu stopped the buses near Kuala Ibai this morning on suspicion these were ferrying phantom voters for the general election tomorrow. MORE
-> Believed to be students
-> PAS to hold PC

To all, please vote wisely tomorrow ......

The People's Parliament: People, we got rid of Fairuz. Now get rid of Rashid

Referring to Malaysiakini report : Amendment gives lifeline to EC chief .

Excerpt:
" The Constitution Amendment Bill, which was tabled for first reading in Dewan Rakyat today, may allow Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s tenure to be extended for another year.

Abdul Rashid, who is due to retire on Dec 31 on reaching the mandatory age of 65, may serve an extra year after the Bill comes into implementation.

Clause two of the Bill seeks to amend Article 114 of the Federal Constitution to increase the age of retirement of a member of the EC from 65 to 66 years of age.

-> Retiring on Dec 31
-> Second reading on Dec 11 "

_____________________________________

The People' Parliament, Haris Ibrahim wrote this in his People, we got rid of Fairuz. Now get rid of Rashid post :

" On 20th November, 2007, bodoh! bodoh! bodoh! tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2007 in Parliament for its first reading. This bill seeks to extend the retirement age of EC members to 66.

The bill is scheduled for the second and third reading on 11th December, 2007.

Kim Quek has written an excellent piece on this disgraceful move to tinker with the constitution. It appears in Malaysiakini and you can read it HERE.

On the day scheduled for the second and third reading of the bill, BERSIH is planning a gathering outside Parliament at 11am to call on parliamentarians to vote against the bill.

What can we do now?

Click HERE. This is a link to all the details of the MPs.

Find the postal address or e-mail details of your MP.

Write to your MP now and tell him or her that you want him to vote against the amendment bill. Tell your MP that you will check Hansard to make sure that if he or she speaks during the second and third reading of the bill, that he or she speaks against the bill. Remind your MP that he or she is there to represent you and not the party. Tell your MP that how he or she votes on this bill will determine how you will vote in the coming elections. Tell your MP that you want a new chairman of the EC.

Send a copy of your letter to your MP to thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com

Haris will collate all such letters so that we will all know which MP has been directed by their constituents on this important issue and who from amongst them abided by this direction. "

Click this link for a SAMPLE OF LETTER to MPs directing a vote to oppose the Rashid bill .
_____________________________________

Frankly, as a citizen of Malaysia, I do not find any reason that such an amendment should be made. Get a new chief. Reiterating the demands of BERSIH walk on 10th of November, it is again time for us, the citizens to exercise our fundamental rights. Think about it. Do what you think is right and good for yourself, your children's future and the nation.

BERSIH: We Do Not Want Representative, We Want Tuanku (To Tell Us)

Malaysiakini recently reported King: No royal support for Bersih rally ( Nov 16, 07 1:34pm )

Excerpt of the news:
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdidin in a rare press statement said neither he nor Istana Negara had directly or indirectly supported the massive rally held over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur.
-> Don't get involved in illegal activities
-> Build a better nation together

I was actually shocked when I read that piece of news. If it is really the truth, it will still come as a "no surprise" to me. After all, striving for electoral reform, a clean election as a civil rights is nothing simple. It is a long and painful Struggle.

The African Americans took decades to obtain proper civil rights. Most of the time, in the midst of their journey faced many obstacles that make their struggle looked seemingly impossible.

The most important thing is, they thrived and hold on to their beliefs, have faith in God that one day they will get what they want : to get the fundamental human rights that they have always aimed for. That provided they took actions in the likes of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

In the case about Malaysia, I think with or without Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Struggle for a Clean and Fair Election must persist. Of course, if the Monarch is participating, it will definitely be good. Inevitably, we have to react accordingly.

Which brings back to the original story of Malaysiakini. Immediately after reading that piece, I searched through the internet to obtain more updates. Have found a lot of articles.

After reading those, I felt more angry than remorseful. Angry at Yang Di-Pertuan Agong? No, no, no, of course not. Why? That is because I found out that it was claimed by other articles on the net: the statement was made by a person called Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja . It is not coming directly out of the mouth of Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. It is through a runner in the Palace. Purportedly, the runner is said to be someone from a certain ruling party (hope you catch the drift). Is there a conflict of interest here?

For more information on some conspiracy theories on the subject of runners doing something extraordinary, please read these articles. It would be best to make sure these are distributed to the public so that Malaysians will be able to judge and comprehend what is happening.

Read these:
Malaysia Today : What the eye does not see (Raja Petra Kamarudin)
Merah Tinta MSO : Respon Cepat, Penjelasan Pengelola Istana Negara Tidak Mengejutkan (Mohd Sayuti Omar)
Malaysia Today : Bohong! Bohong! Bohong! (Kamal Amir Menulis)

I echo the decision made by Mahaguru58, a famous blogger himself. He said : Agong's 'Statement'. Won't believe it till I see and hear His Majesty on live tv!

To date, our Monarch has not made any direct statements albeit by himself on the Memorandum for Electoral Reforms by BERSIH. There are some possible powerful hands (not Agong's) at works, although I cannot say it for a fact.

There are certain quarters that claimed the BERSIH rally is about freedom to assemble and not about electoral reform. That is certainly weird, I would like to reiterate this point :

BERSIH , the organisation is for Freedom to Assemble AND / FOR Electoral Reform. Been that since day one.

Besides that, it should be made known that we need Agong to support a clean and fair election through electoral reforms proposed by BERSIH in the memorandum. He does not have to support the rally and gathering. It is merely symbolic.

In the meantime , one of the heroes of our nation did this: Mind your own business, Syed Hamid tells foreign Human Rights groups . I was wondering whether this is the professional way to respect Human Rights as well as the best way to handle public foreign relations. I find that approach quite impolite.

Anyway, Freedom to Assemble and Clean Elections are Fundamental Human Rights in Any Democratic Country. That I cannot regard as applicable with nations of Communist Governance, Dictatorship or Autocracy.

Regards and best of luck Malaysians. When the going gets tough , the tough gets going.

BERSIH: Malik, Khairy, Nazri in Aljazeera Forum

Malaysiakini has many news, letters and articles on BERSIH rally. To top it off, Aljazeera had just organised a forum to discuss related issues pertaining to the biggest Malaysian rally of this decade.

Speakers comprised Human Rights Lawyer, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar of the blog Disquiet, Deputy UMNO Youth Leader, Son-In-Law of the Prime Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nazri Aziz attended. It was chaired by award winning journalist, Teymoor Nabili .

( Videos by matsputnik posted here on 16 November 2007)
matsputnik : 101 East , Aljazeera (part 1 of 4)
matsputnik : 101 East , Aljazeera (part 2 of 4)
matsputnik : 101 East , Aljazeera (part 3 of 4)
matsputnik : 101 East , Aljazeera (part 4 of 4)

( Updated on 18th November 2007 : Official videos from AlJazeeraEnglish )

AlJazeera English - 101 East (part 1 of 2)


AlJazeera English - 101 East (part 2 of 2)


Key points to take note:
1) Khairy said "The Prime Minister had said during the current UMNO General Assembly that in the near future media can regulate themselves".

[Sagaladoola: Yes, Khairy said that in the forum. My question is, can anybody confirm whether the Prime Minister REALLY said that? Get what I mean?

I have Questions, Is it true that the Media is not allowed to regulate themselves now? Hmmnnnn, then who is regulating the Media now? Dear me, I shouldn't have asked that.]

2) Khairy said Election commissions are doing changes all the time, therefore that shows the government listens to the people but Malik thinks the Saturday rally symbolised Civil Societies wanting an Institutional Reform for the eletions. Teymoor asked whether there is any validity that Election commissions have made those changes.

[Sagaladoola: Very interesting answer indeed. Watch that in Part 4. Do not want to create spoilers]

3) Teymoor took out New Sunday Times and exclaimed: “In the largest protest march in Malaysia in a decade, the local papers were silent on the front pages and wrote about the traffic jams in page 4! “ Of which, Nazri said "Media is free to report anything" when questioned about the local media response on the BERSIH rally.

[Sagaladoola: Oh really, Nazri? I let the viewers judge. Fishy, really fishy. Speechless]

4) Nazri said "What's the point when you can call 50,000 (persons) but i can call 1 Million, does that show that I am right?"

5) Nazri said there should not be any Institutional Reform for this issue.

6) Khairy claimed BERSIH is an opposition initiative proven by these leaders sending the memorandum to Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

7) Malik replied that this is not an Opposition Initiative but a Civil Society Initiative. Opposition parties can be a part of Civil Society. UMNO can join BERSIH, a Civil Society if they want to.

[Sagaladoola: Finally someone said it. I have mentioned it earlier in my post The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led? I asked, "why didn't UMNO support BERSIH electoral reform rally?" Why? UMNO, BN, why? Why didn't you join? There should be nothing to be afraid of. Or... Have I missed out something? I admit that I am a stupid person for asking this question]

8) Take note on Teymoor's questions on "permits for gathering". Excellent , really excellent and I do not mean the answers from certain people in the forum.

BERSIH: Zam, Is this the Professional Way?

Watch the video below before reading the rest of the transcript with added comments from this blogger.


__________________________________________________

Transcript of Malaysia's Information Minister's interview with Al Jazeera News on the Bersih Protest. Taken from Kenny Sia : The ZAM Rap. A similar version can be located at nooryahaya....ramblin on

Minister: I commend yo-yo-your journalists trying to project... to exaggerate more than what actually happened. That-that-that-that's it. We are not the-the and I-I congratulate your journalists behaving like an actor, that-that's it...

Reporter: As you say that, sir, we're watching scenes of protesters being sprayed by chemical-filled water!

[Sagaladoola : At this point of time, Aljazeera is playing a real footage of what is transpiring in the rally. What is the logic behind the Aljazeera journalists be accused as actors (as claimed by Minister) when the scene is real ? What sort of logic is Zam using when he said Aljazeera is exaggerating when the footage of the scene with people running about avoiding the gas and water is real?

Minister should answer in a logical manner.]

Minister: YA! I am watching! I'm here! You've been trying... trying to do it this - to do this everywhere but in Malaysia people are allowed to, you know? We know our police head our colleague... Police have whatever allowed the procession to go to the Istana Negara, you know? Do police, first police, like, they handle them, they attack them, they... the police don't, don't, don't fire anybody?

[Sagaladoola: Do what, Zam? It is true that this KL BERSIH rally does not suffer from the same fate as the Batu Burok Tragedy , where there are alleged firing that got some of the participants hit by bullets. Perhaps, the only similarity shared is both are organised by BERSIH ! Dear me .. !]

Reporter: Our correspondent came back to the office, sir, with chemicals in his eyes!

Minister:You-you-you-you are here with the idea, you are trying to project, what is your mind! You think that we Pakistan, we are Burma, we are Myanmar. Everything you-you are thinking! WE ARE DIFFERENT! We are totally different!

[Sagaladoola: If you care to notice, in the truncated video from television made into Youtube entry above, Aljazeera reporter did not use those nations as comparison. Why did the minister mention those countries, hmmnn, any idea? What was the minister having in mind? Curious, curious .. you get what I mean? Hahaha.

Oh let me think. Hmmn, ok... Myanmar and Pakistan dispersed their protests (illegal it seems) as well.]

Reporter: Well unfortunately when you refuse to let people protest, it does appear so.

Minister: Ya ya we are not like you! You-you have earlier perception, you come here, you want to project us like undemocratic country. This a democratic country!

Reporter: So why can't people protest then, if it's a democratic country?

[Sagaladoola: Simple but Good question !]

Minister: YES, PEOPLE PROTEST! People do-do... of course they protest. We are allowing them protest, and they have demonstrated.

[Sagaladoola: This is a rally for electoral reform, seeking only an audience with the Monarch of the nation, Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, not a demonstration (like what the Minister claimed). Wrong info? Hmmnnn...]

Minister: But we just trying to disperse them, and then later they-they-they don't wanna disperse, but later our police compromise. They have compromised and allowed them to proceed to Istana Negara! Police, our police have succeeded in handling them gently, right?

[Sagaladoola: Oooh, footage of tear gas, chemical-laced water being sprayed and people running around playing on the screen. Hmmn, Zam, is that "gentle handling"? Wow, hmmnn, I do not know what to say. I am shocked. Oh yeah, why can't the police compromise earlier? I mea like not blocking so many roads and using gas and chemical. Saves a lot of taxpayers' money if those are not done you know.]

Minister: Why do you report that? You take the opposition, someone from opposition party you ask him to speak. You don't take from the government, right?

[Sagaladoola: Such a stupid question. Zam, reporting real events are what reporters and news stations do.

Besides that, Zam, as an Information Minister, you are from the government. Aljazeera is obtaining information from you now, the government as you speak. Oh dear me, you didn't realise that? Oh yeah, people OTHER than the government have the right to speak too. In case you do not know, this is what people call Democracy. Zam, I thought you said Malaysia has Democracy? Ok, then let's assume I am in the wrong and you are right. You are the government, I am not. Now everything is ok already? Hah?!]

Reporter: Why did you not break up these protests...

Minister: Pardon? Pardon? Pardon?

Reporter: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?

Minister: I can't hear you! I can't hear you!

Reporter: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?

Minister: No we-we are! We... this protest is illegal! We don't want..this... the... NORMALLY...

[Sagaladoola: When the reporter asked this question, people are still running around helter skelter in the footage escaping from all those chaos. Otherwise, there are pictures of FRU trucks. I do not know about you, but that sure does not look peaceful to me.]

Reporter: OK, so let me return to my former question. Why is this protest illegal?

[Sagaladoola: Hahaha, reporter, that is another good question. Gotcha, Zam. Careful, careful, don't contradict yourself in the same interview. Hahaha...]

Minister: YA! It's a illegal protest because we have the election in Malaysia. It's no-no point on having a protest! We are allowing to every election... every five years never fail! We are not our like, like Myanmar, not like other country. And, and you are helping this. You Al-Jazeera also is helping this, this forces. The, you know, these forces who are not in passion, who don't believe in democracy!

[Sagaladoola: Minister, let me help you answer this question. You should say, "the protest is illegal because the police has not granted a permit". Aiyoh, easy answer right? What say you, dear readers? Like that also don't know?

With each mention of Myanmar in the video, the name starts to get into my head. Suddenly, thought of Monks protesting and the the way they were handled run through my head. Scary! Whoops, did I get out of topic? Back to original story.]

Reporter: Alright, many thanks for joining us.

Minister: I don't, ya, you, Al-Jazeera, this is, is Al-Jazeera attitude. Right?

[Sagaladoola: Zam, don't you think that was rather inappropriate, considering the fact that you said such a thing in international TV watched by various nations around the world. I wonder how they view Malaysia now after all these.

Zam, are you sure this is the professional way as a Minister to handle such issue? Oh dear, let me find a hole first.]
__________________________________________________

In my personal opinion, Aljazeera was trying to ask , why is the rally considered illegal when freedom to assemble is listed under Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No human rights is equivalent to absence of democracy (but the Minister said earlier that Malaysia is a democracy). After all, BERSIH rally is also a Civil Rights Movement. Democracy allows civil society to claim their rights for a clean and fair election.

Check out Article 20(1) of the Declaration : Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Even as I write, Malaysiakini has just published the latest news " Hawker: Police broke my knee during rally ". Jelas.info posted Police beat up innocent bystander at Bersih Rally - Pics & Eyewitness account.

Certainly mind-boggling, Malaysia Gemilang, Malaysia Boleh, Malaysian-Styled Democracy !

Kudos to Aljazeera for maintaining their composure and professionalism.

Other posts on BERSIH rally:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
We have to BERSIH-kan Malaysia
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

(Picture from Elizabeth Wong: Rakyat pantang dicabar!. That's 40,000 participants)

On 10th November 2007, 40,000 protesters marched the streets of Kuala Lumpur, braved the rainstorm, conquered their fears and headed towards Istana Negara to submit a Memorandum for a Clean and Fair Election to Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan, the Monarch of Malaysia.

Malaysian Unplug Uncensored had the full text of electoral reform requests from BERSIH Memorandum presented to His Royal Highness. Indeed all the points stated in the article are with good intentions and for the best of the nation.

According to the online paper, The Star, the nation's "Beloved Prime Minister" Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said "Saturday’s street protest in Kuala Lumpur was an attempt to drag the royalty into opposition politics". On top of that, he added that the memorandum being handed over to an Istana Negara official was a move by the opposition to “trap” the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Shocking statements. It is indeed a sad affair that our "Beloved Prime Minister" Pak Lah cannot look beyond the division of politics for the benefit of the nation. If the Rakyat can see the bigger picture, why can't the Administration? BERSIH is actually a coalition of 60 plus Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and a small insignificant number of political parties, of which coincidentally consists of the Opposition. Only 5 to be exact.

UMNO should have tagged along for Clean Election demand


(Picture from Elizabeth Wong: Rakyat pantang dicabar!. That's 40,000 participants)

The demands for a clean election would not look like opposition-led as our "Beloved Prime Minister" claimed (although not a fact) if his ruling party, currently the most powerful in Malaysia by the name of UMNO and its sub-components in Barisan Nasional vow to tag along with BERSIH.

If UMNO or Barisan Nasional (hereafter called BN) under the leadership of our Beloved Pak Lah were to participate, things would definitely had turned out differently. The headlines in papers such as The Star and New Sunday Times could be "UMNO supports BERSIH demands for clean election". Sounds nice. How positive it would have been for BN.

Regrettably, a massive party like UMNO decided not to support BERSIH. In fact, Pak Lah proved his critics wrong (on saying he is sleeping all the time) by giving a strong and confident declaration "Saya pantang dicabar" (I do not like to be challenged). This statement proved himself a powerful person and not weak as some thought. According to Malaysiakini on its 6th November 2007 article, Khairy wants Bersih rally organisers arrested.

It is certainly ironic for the Beloved Son-In-Law of the Beloved Prime Minister to make such a public statement because he is neither a Minister or a Member of Parliament. In a bizarre way, true to his predictions, arrests were indeed made on BERSIH Participants a.k.a Citizens concerned with Malaysia. There are some allegations in the internet that certain journalists are being beaten, tear gas being fired and chemical-laced water cannons being sprayed.

It is unclear (to me) on the reasons UMNO and BN are giving such a resistance to the Peaceful BERSIH Rally demands that are beneficial for the nation as a whole. It is open to readers to guess the possible answers. After all, UMNO and BN have ruled Malaysia since Independence / Merdeka, suffering only from a crisis in 1969. To top it off, there are even calls within the party for another additional 50 years of UMNO, BN rule.

Of course, UMNO, BN ruled by winning in the current election system. 40,000 displeased citizens regardless of political affiliations, groups and parties had taken the difficulty of walking in wet clothes to submit a memorandum to reform the election system in which UMNO and BN have been using and winning all these years.

Why did UMNO not join BERSIH in the rally but resent it so much? (P.S. I must admit I am a pretty stupid person for asking this question)

Citizens do not want His Royal Highness Agong to be 'trapped' with Potential Unclean Elections



(Picture from Kickdefella: Daulat Tuanku!)

Pak Lah stated that there are parties that intend to 'trap' (such negative word) Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and attempt to drag His Majesty into opposition politics. The previous section stated that UMNO should have joined the rally so that it does not become opposition politics. It is still unclear (to me) on why UMNO did not join in.

On the other hand, there is absolutely a main reason that Non-Partisan Citizens a.k.a. BERSIH rally participants from all over Malaysia support the submission of the memorandum. That is because they do not want Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to be 'trapped' by "divide and conquer" politics and "unclean elections". After all the citizens are His Majesty's subjects and His Royal Highness is bound by certain governance on making sure the Parliament is formed legally through Genuine Democracy. After all, this Parliament would represent him in governing his subjects. Unclean and Unfair Elections are equivalent to Sham / False Democracy.

The peaceful BERSIH rally is to campaign for Genuine Democracy.

If there is intention of anyone to say that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is not supposed to be in politics, the perception would be totally wrong. After all, Malaysia is a country of Constitutional Monarchy. The word "Monarch" symbolises none other than Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. The Constitution provided certain power for His Royal Highness to react against those who creates Sham Democracy.

The citizens want Genuine Democracy too. That is what the walk is all about. Do you get the point, Pak Lah?

Malaysian Unplug Uncensored posted the article : " What's Next After the Nov 10 People's Rally ? " after the submission of the memorandum for electoral reform.

I am still in a daze, wondering why UMNO or BN would not participate in this event. If it's good for democracy and citizens, why not? I must be a stupid person myself for not being able to figure it out.

Nuff said. :-)

Other posts on BERSIH rally:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3

Malaysiakini reported Organisers hail rally a success
by Fauwaz Abdul Aziz on Nov 10, 07 9:33pm
Bersih rally Despite attempts to spook the public from participating in the Bersih rally, 40,000 people turned up today in the largest show of force since the reformasi protests a decade ago.



Tien Chua of PKR updating participants on the current status.


Hadi Awang of PAS addressing those that came.


( Picture from the __earthinc )
Anwar Ibrahim of PKR making an entrance with Lim Kit Siang of DAP and Khalid Ibrahim.


Anwar Ibrahim gave a little speech. The memorandum has been submitted by Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan.


The job was done. The crowd was ready to disperse peacefully. Throughout the whole rally, Malaysians were well-behaved. It is certainly strange that a Certain Somebody could say rally will "never be peaceful". From what I learnt, only police used water cannons and tear gas on the peaceful BERSIH participants @ Rakyat.


The crowd left the scene only to reveal a substantial number of police and trucks guarding the front of Istana Negara.


A massive traffic snarl on the road as human and vehicles prowl the street collectively.


A funky guy made some funny moves using his yellow bulldozer in support of the BERSIH event. BERSIH participants were amused. A large number of those who did not walk in the rally would like a clean election too. Maybank building, KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) are in the background.


Some of the people walked to Dataran Merdeka, some to KL Central and others towards Central Market.

A picture speaks a thousand words. Obviously, I have more than one here. You can find more in the net.

Yes, BERSIH rally is a success ! We have created History !

Congratulations, Good Work, Malaysians !

You have braved the storm and conquered your fears !

Other posts on BERSIH rally:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
We have to BERSIH-kan Malaysia
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?

BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2

Malaysiakini reported 40,000 protest for free and fair elections
Nov 10, 07 8:16am
Bersih rally 40,000 protesters massed outside Istana Negara this afternoon, facing off against riot police in defiance of a government ban on the rally calling for clean and fair elections.


A few steps away from reaching Istana Negara. Just after the bridge is the roundabout to the final destination.


BERSIH participants enjoying every step of the way. Some were chatting while there were those who enjoyed the city view.


In the background is Istana Negara. We have just reached the roundabout !


This road is originally meant for cars.


The Yellow Wave have reached Istana Negara. People was sitting down while the memorandum was being submitted by organisers of BERSIH.


Daulat Tuanku ! Daulat Tuanku !


An organiser was thanking citizens for being concerned with the nation. It was said that, at the same time, activists for democracy were demonstrating in front of Malaysian embassies in several countries (Thailand, India, etc.) demanding for electoral reform.


FRU in the background. Everyone was reminded that the rally was to be maintained at all times peaceful. Typically, Malaysians are peaceful people.


Hidup Rakyat ! Hidup Rakyat ! BERSIH ! BERSIH !


Balloons galore. The storm had become a drizzle.


Reporters and photographers climbed up the construction to get better pictures of this Historical Moment.


Sea of Yellow has created a new chapter in History. The crowd is so large (40,000) that the view went all the way into the sublime. There you go , we are now part of History !

Daulat Tuanku ! Hidup Rakyat ! BERSIH, BERSIH ! Allahu Akbar !

Malaysians, you have made it !

Other posts on BERSIH rally:
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 1
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 2
BERSIH: The Yellow Wave (Pics) Part 3
We have to BERSIH-kan Malaysia
The Yellow Wave: How Come Opposition-Led?