Undeterred by threat of arrest, Malaysians abroad cross oceans for Bersih 4
(Malay Mail Online) – Local enforcers have repeatedly labelled Bersih 4 “illegal” and warned of consequences should the rally proceed but the threats seem to have fallen on deaf ears as many, including even Malaysians residing overseas, are determined to crowd the city’s streets tomorrow.
Not wanting to be left out of what they believe will be a historic event, some of those living abroad have flown into the city and will be joining the tens of thousands expected to turn up for the 34-hour mass demonstration demanding for clean elections, a clean government and parliamentary democracy.
Mansula Naidu, a Malaysian living in Hong Kong, said she spent nearly RM1,500 for her trip back.
Her reason: It’s time to be counted as one of the thousands of Malaysians calling for reforms, especially at a time of economic and political turmoil.
“In my personal opinion, this rally is not about Najib, it’s about the people and the country,” she said, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Although Bersih 4’s five demands only mention clean elections and other institutional reforms, many are also using the mass demonstration to protest against the Najib administration.
“We should stop sitting on the fence or gossiping about the current affairs. It is time to take action, we, the rakyat will have to take a stand once and for all,” Mansula added in her email to Malay Mail Online.
Ignoring the “illegal” label the police have given to Bersih 4, the 37-year-old said instead that she sees herself as being a “responsible citizen” by attending the protest.
Even being a small part of something so large, she said, would be gratification enough.
Lawyer Hanim Hamzah, who will be participating in her first Bersih rally this weekend, said her passion for clean and fair elections was what drove her to fly home from Indonesia to participate in the gathering.
“Bersih 4 will be my first walk, and I have found myself moved to participate due to the importance of having free and fair elections and to walk with my partner who is passionate about this issue,” she said, insisting that her participation was non-partisan but purely to call for a clean electoral system.
She added that she, too, will stay overnight at the rally so long as she was physically able.
Documentary filmmakers Vilashini Somiah and Azliana Aziz, who created a short segment on the Lahad Datu incursion, had no qualms about returning to Malaysia for the rally as they saw it as a rare opportunity to have their voices heard.
“It’s the absolute necessary thing to do. I am aware of the ongoing debate about Bersih not having solved anything in the past or even possibly solving anything this time around.
“True as that may be, although at the same time debatable, I recognise Bersih as one of the limited opportunities for me and other Malaysians to voice a political stand,” Vilashini said.
Azliana echoed Vilashini, adding that attending the rally was the “least” that she could do to.
“As to why I choose to participate, I am not in any position of power, my voice alone may not be heard and though it is highly contested as to how effective Bersih 4.0 will turn out, I feel as limited as the impact of my presence may be, it is at least something I can do,” Azliana said in an email to Malay Mail Online.
The duo will be flying in from Singapore with six others, all of whom will be coming to KL just to participate in Bersih 4.
Vilashini, however, is no novice to Bersih rallies. She said she attended the second such demonstration by the polls reform group and successfully escaped the police crackdown then.
This time, however, she is determined to stay put even if the streets turn chaotic.
“In Bersih 2.0, I was too quick to leave. However, as the water cannons and tear gas canisters flew into the crowd, I saw many a brave and committed Malaysians weathering these attacks.
“I tell myself, I should have then, and if it happens this Saturday, I will now,” she said, adding that she will stay on the streets for as long as possible with the sleepover being the ultimate goal.
The threat of bodily harm, tear gas and firing of chemically-laced water cannons has also left Mansula undeterred, adding that she would sleep on the streets if necessary.
“When you’re championing a cause, there will always be obstacles, but that doesn’t stop you from going forward does it?
“If Auntie Bersih can make it to the rally, what’s my excuse?” she said, referring to 69-year-old rally icon Annie Ooi.
Bersih 4 is expected to last through the night for 34 hours from 2pm tomorrow. It will be held simultaneously with similar gatherings in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and Kuching, Sarawak, as well as other cities around the world.
The last rally by Bersih 2.0 held in 2012 that had an estimated attendance of a reported over 100,000 people saw a mass crackdown by the authorities as the rally was dispersing.
This time around, the police have barred the Bersih 4 rally on grounds that the organisers did not get permission from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall that it dubbed as the “owner” of Dataran Merdeka, the planned venue for the demonstration in the city centre.
