Bersih 2.0 Australia

For me to organise a rally or march or parade, all I need is to inform the city council. It was that easy as the website clearly states that a public demonstration only requires a notification for organising a public demonstration.

By Maverick

Hello there, my name is Maverick and I’m currently undertaking a degree course in Adelaide. I’m 22 this year and I’m the head organiser of the Bersih 2.0 rally in Adelaide. I’m mostly influenced by my dad when it comes to politics, listening to his frustrations day in day out for almost the past 12 years of my life, that’s how I got into knowing politics.

We are known as Bersih 2.0 Australia. It’s the same rally in which it is being held in Malaysia as we’ve been in contact with the majority of the leaders/committees of Bersih 2.0 held in Malaysia. We have been brought together by David, the head organiser of Bersih 2.0 Adelaide. He has been in contact with other leaders in other states, choreographing this move. Well, it is organised in every major city in Australia, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Canberra and even Hobart and Brisbane in the coming days. We are a group of Malaysians, consisting of both young and old, living in a country where we deem democracy is at its best. We’ve been in contact with one another over the past few days via emails and facebook, and yes, we use facebook to communicate a lot.

For me to organise a rally or march or parade, all I need is to inform the city council. It was that easy as the website clearly states that a public demonstration only requires a notification for organising a public demonstration. Furthermore, I believe that it’s the same for the other states. You can have a look at this link if you don’t believe me: http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/services/notification-to-council.html.

I’ve been in discussions over emails with other leaders from abroad including Malaysian Bersih leaders. I’m the sole organiser of Bersih 2.0 Adelaide and I don’t have a committee of 5 to 10 people. I have never done this before as this was purely following my heart as a Malaysian. But ever since the day I started, I’ve received more and more support from the leaders and the people of Malaysia, even Australians!

In Adelaide, the rally would be held at Victoria Square Fountains. It would be more of a teaching to Malaysian students about democracy and about the situation that we’re facing in Malaysia as we all know, the majority of young Malaysians are very afraid to voice out their concerns or stand up for politics.

Melbourne will be having theirs at State Library Lawns. Sydney at Consulate General of Malaysia. Perth at the Consulate General of Malaysia situated in Perth, and Canberra at Parliament House of Australia.

All rallies at each state are held at the same time as the Malaysian rally. Each state will be expecting different numbers of people attending but at this stage, Melbourne has the largest group. There will be a majority of Malaysians attending for sure but whether we will be having mostly students attending them I would not be able to answer you as we’re focusing on gathering all Malaysians and not merely students.
Learn more from here, https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196304237083769

I decided to organise this rally in Adelaide when I read all the news posted on the net about the happenings in Sarawak and its chief minister. When I was reading through web page after web page, there was an outcry of conspiracy in the handling of the people’s money. I was so upset that it really triggered a sudden emotional surge of patriotism within me. I felt that as a Malaysian, I have the responsibility of organising one here in Adelaide, showing the Malaysian public that even Malaysians abroad care about their country, we miss our country and we still love our country! Unlike some people in the cabinet who has branded us as betrayers of the country.

I know MSDA has sent out a message to all Malaysian students abroad about not joining such rallies but I’m not afraid at all even though I am a student. I know that the Australians practice true democracy and they would support us in organising such events. In the next few days we would be in contact with state senators and MPs in supporting us for this rally. The human rights in Australia is so powerful, Malaysians in Malaysia should start to show their support for Bersih as that’s the way a country should be governed – by having strong voices in the nation.

As stated before, I believe we have taken all possible and neccessary precautionary measures ie police clearance and council notifications have all been submitted. So we’re readying ourselves up for the 9th of July. 

In concludsion, to all my fellow Malaysians, please stand up and speak up for your rights. Never underestimate your strength you have as the people of Malaysia. Your voices and your votes count in every aspect of the country especially for our children. If it’s not for our future then theirs. Stand up everyone, it’s time we tell the government that its not them who are in power, it’s the people! It’s time to tell them that we want only Rakyat Malaysia, not Malay, Chinese or Indian. It’s time that we stand united, ready ourselves and battle for CHANGE!!