The Difference ( Bersih 1 Vs Bersih 2.0)

I was one of those guys who lost my iphone to the cops for taking extensive photos & video shots. Was it worth it, you may ask? It is worth it if it is for my country and our future.

 

Oh hell yes! Even now, I am not sulking at losing the phone, but the Moments of History that I captured with fellow Malaysians who posed for me and the awesome video of songs sang by all those people. So here I am venting my frustration in paper instead of photos.

What are the differences between Bersih 1 and Bersih 2.0, someone asked me (which I feel is a lot).

My journey began in KTM which I was worried will not make it to Sentral because I timed it to coincide with the Rally (2pm), instead of arriving early and getting arrested for being a loner in the wrong place. The trains after mine were delayed. So – lucky me. Nobody spoke in the train. It was eerily quiet. Just smiles. Most people were heading for Sogo/Jamek area but my instincts told me to get down in KL Sentral.

Reaching KL Sentral, life seemed normal there except for the Presence of cops everywhere but more outside than inside. I went into McD to sit down and buy time and got news Ambiga, Anwar and many more were in Hilton just beside KL Sentral. It was raining heavily there and within minutes unexpectedly there was a huge booming, cheering and shouting of thousands of people! 

I was shocked at the sizable number of Indians and Chinese. This was not a scene from Bersih 2007. The Chinese were no longer shy of Rallies. Not afraid of Perkasa or Ibrahim frog, in fact most were updated and ready for anything. The Indians were alert on National issues. It was no more only for Hindraf or Indian issues; most who turned up were ready for national service. Ambiga was the new Uthaya. The Malays were the highest in number but it is no more just the PAS Malays who turned up but those from every walk of life. The Mat Sallehs, the Indian tourists, Japanese and Korean people who also walked along.

Many aunties and uncles, professionals, lawyers, kampung folks, even government servants, so many youngsters were there. This was the facebook revolution!

These were the conversations I had with folks who turned up:

“We are here for our Children’s Future” – most of them agreed on this point.

“if Ambiga is a lady and she could do this – what’s wrong with me, a MAN?” – Malay uncle.

“I have done worse things, I would go to jail for Ambiga!” – Indian guy who looked like a bouncer.

“Are you one of them (cops)?” – youngster.

“If this was their brother or sister, would the police hurt us?” – Indian aunty.

“BN has to go!” – Malay aunty.

“There is democracy and there is *democracy*” – Mat Salleh.

“Where is the racial riot???” – another question by general public while smiling at each other.

“Show us the Parang” – random shout to the police.

“We are the ones who lost the most due to the degrading of the judiciary”- a lawyer who exchanged his namecard [he has his own law firm!]

Nothing prepared me for what I saw accrosss the Klang river when I reached Pasar Seni LRT station; tens of thousands of people across the river. That was a safe haven for me as I joined the crowd but was greeted by tear gas being shot non-stop from Central Market. It was crazy. Tear gas canisters were falling every 2 minutes but the people kept on regrouping. Surprisingly, food stalls were open. Thanks to KFC and 7-Elevens which were open and allowed people in and out even though the managers chained their entrance with padlocks.

The Rally belonged to the people through and through. Bersih was in charge, not Pakatan. I didn’t see the unit amal nor the organized political party type of people.

 

It was a random crowd. Pakatan leaders only came to the rescue when there was no leadership in the crowd. Pakatan MPs/Aduns did not interfere. For example, YB Manika (Kapar) was at Pasar Seni but just standing and watching the crowd with his team; never did he take over from the Bersih steering comittee.

 

Wong Chin Huat was there. When Wong Chin Huat commanded a crowd of 10 thousand people at Pasar Seni Station and was reading the memorandum at the Top of his Voice and a reddened face full of energy, everyone was impressed by his leadership. He screamed at the Top of his Lungs “Kita Tak Mahu RASUAH!” and “Jangan-jangan – Jangan rasuah”. His lengthy speech ended with singing Negaraku 3 times. There were tears in many eyes. Some sobbed openly unable to control their feelings. Everyone just stood there and sang in Unison … Malay-Chinese-Indian-Punjabi-Kadazans-Asli and more.

Through Petaling Street to Stadium Merdeka, everywhere was packed to the maximum. It was a sea of people. Never had I imagined so many people would turn up through the propoganda and barricade and fear of riots being unleashed. Protestors just stood there and were communicating with the cops.

 

How do you expect us to go near Stadium Merdeka if you intend to paint the whole road blue with uniforms? At this juncture, I saw many friends sitting together and taking photos in the middle of the road. Dancers, singers, picnic-goers in the crowd just enjoying themselves. So this must be the Walk in the Park suggested by Datuk Wong Chun Wai of The Star? To irritate him further, “Datuk please take a look at how much we enjoyed ourselves with fellow Malaysians. People paper, ka? Come and see the Real People la braderr!” And please take note of this new trend which emerged from Bersih 2.0 – PLANKING. I am laughing out Loud seeing all those Planking photos and videos online!!

It was temporary joy as the crowd which was dispersing was given a warning shot and the FRU started marching in. Before you know it, they started chasing the crowd. The weakest or slower ones were caught immediately and arrested. We were running at top speed. I wish I had this speed while at school. Next was a one hour worth of Cat and Mouse game around the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and Wisma Tun Sambanthan!!

 

Thanks to the 7-eleven there, I went in the guise of a customer buying a drink. The Police never chase people who hold their posture and look composed. Hmm, maybe this was a good strategy. Nevertheless, I met my friend who was a Special Branch agent dressed in jeans with his team who advised me not to provoke. He said, “There are vans marked with CID officers. They go for the catch. The rest of us remain on the ground. The cops with cameras take photos of provocateurs (for evidence) then the rest go for the kill. But pity those people in the fringes, else they get caught.” He assured me the cops are on our side of the struggle and are stuck between the public and a corrupted goverment.

When I thought it was finally over and time to return, there was a bigger crowd waiting in anticipation! As we ran, walked and panted away, we were greeted by friendly stationed police. This time, they even stood and smiled and posed for photos. One guy even mentioned, please make sure it comes out on Facebook!!! But just before we could thank our lucky stars, a few FRU trucks came in between Brickfields and Petronas and blocked our way back!!! People started screaming away, let us go home. We were dispersing but alas, this time we were not lucky. They were hell bent on trapping us and getting hold of us. After the harassment and another round of merry go round, we managed to get back to KL Sentral only to realise no trains were leaving from KL Sentral and the LRT was totally shut down.

Firstly, the Goverment is now fully prepared for Massive Rallies by creating Massive Roadblocks and creating Massive Traffic Jams. Four years is a long time to prepare and with heavy propaganda and vilification, the process is much more extreme.

The Goverment has learnt much, but the people have learnt more.

 

Sub-contracting racism to Perkasa, whom we can daringly call cowards since they didn’t turn up for the Rally, didn’t work. The May 13 Bogeyman and racist conflicts don’t work. The Communist tag to Bersih doesnt work (hello we have seen you tag Hindraf to LTTE terrorists, you think we belive you?)

 

Have you read the bedtime story called “The Boy who Cried Wolf“? After the 3rd time, nobody believed the boy. You are the Goverment for heaven’s sake!!! Be responsible.

 

We have seen too many ‘Gempar’, ‘Derhaka’, ‘Jahanam’, ‘HARAM’ headlines from Utusan, NST, Star etc. to really bother.

Planting shiny parangs and well-preprared molotovs and taking us for rides do not work.

Khairy, who described Bersih 2007 as “beruk-beruk di jalanraya“, became a Beruk himself. His comment that he was doing it because he did not agree with Bersih’s method doesnt add value. All the more to beat the “Beruk”, he became a Beruk himself. Where was PPP and MIC youth as claimed by him?

Facebook and Twitter were unheard of during Bersih 2007, but in Bersih 2.0 Facebook played a heavy role to garner support. Other than that, the after effects of Bersih are going Viral. Bersih went with Ambiga and came back with 65 year old Anne. Just look at Aunty Liberty and how famous she has become! Check http://www.facebook.com/pages/Malaysian-Lady-Of-Liberty/227295033969781 and also Twitter account #bersihstories (or at http://bersihstories.wordpress.com/).

Planking: For the 1st Time we see a huge number of Malaysians having fun at the Rally by Planking. Go figure.

1Malaysia: This was the theme at Bersih 2.0: Masyarakat majmuk, all the slogans and posters mean nothing. The heartfelt togetherness at Bersih, the people that our goverment is trying to keep apart got together again. It was indeed 1 Malaysia.

Pakatan Rakyat: Didn’t exist before the last rally, so we have a more formidable opposition / government in waiting. This is a fact. Pakatan gave support to Bersih, but Never did they Sabotage Bersih or Hijack the rally. Anwar could have been the Man in 2007, but Now it is Ambiga.

May 13: We realised more it was UMNO unleashing its demons against us. Yet there are more Malay brothers and Sisters who are on our side and will defend us before those who are against us will be able to touch us. That is why since 2008, no racial riot has happened even though many have tried to evoke it and the rakyat provoked. Malays are with their Chinese and Indian brothers and sisters. It is no More Us vs Them!

Lies: Too Many lies have been told that the rakyat doesn’t believe them anymore. What more when the Prime Minister renegades his promise. We thought Najib will do a Badawi but he did worse. He didn’t stick to his promise! It is worse when the very institution you continue to uphold, the sovereignty of the Malays Rulers are being trampled upon – People can see this.

Felda Folks – I travelled home with folks from Felda who were upset BN didn’t listen to the king. They said they will spread the message to Felda. Money may be given but in the long run, it is we who will lose this country to corruption, lies and injustice.

Malaysians – For all who missed Bersih in 2007, now was their time to be part of History. No, we are not looking for Justice like in Tahrir Square but just peace-loving Malaysians who want Free and Fair Elections. Is that so Difficult to understand?