Bersih 3.0 rally: Difference between revisions
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<ref>[http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/police-fire-water-cannons-as-demonstrators-push-into-dataran Police fire tear gas, water cannons as demonstrators push into Dataran] The Malaysian Insider</ref><ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/police-fires-tear-gas-water-cannon-1.78596 Police fires tear gas, water cannon] New Straits Times</ref> A police car was overturned after the car was attacked by Bersih protesters, hence losing control of the car and subsequently running into the crowd and injuring two protesters. The policeman who was driving the car later claimed that he lost consciousness during the accident. Other protesters later protected the police officer from retaliation.<ref>[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196424 Driver: I passed out before crash] malaysiakini</ref> Some claimed that the patrol car was overturned to remove a victim thought to be trapped under the car. |
<ref>[http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/police-fire-water-cannons-as-demonstrators-push-into-dataran Police fire tear gas, water cannons as demonstrators push into Dataran] The Malaysian Insider</ref><ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/police-fires-tear-gas-water-cannon-1.78596 Police fires tear gas, water cannon] New Straits Times</ref> A police car was overturned after the car was attacked by Bersih protesters, hence losing control of the car and subsequently running into the crowd and injuring two protesters. The policeman who was driving the car later claimed that he lost consciousness during the accident. Other protesters later protected the police officer from retaliation.<ref>[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196424 Driver: I passed out before crash] malaysiakini</ref> Some claimed that the patrol car was overturned to remove a victim thought to be trapped under the car. |
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A total of 512 people who took part in the rally were arrested for various offences. |
A total of 512 people who took part in the rally were arrested for various offences. This is however much less than the 1,667 detained in the Bersih 2.0 rally the previous year.<ref name=malaysianinsider-100>{{cite news |author=Lisa J. Ariffin |title=388 arrested at Bersih rally |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/at-least-100-arrested-at-bersih-rally/ |newspaper=The Malaysian Insider |accessdate=30 April 2012 |date=28 April 2002}}</ref> |
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Social media were used not only to organise the rally, but to spread the mission of Bersih 3.0. |
Social media were used not only to organise the rally, but to spread the mission of Bersih 3.0. |
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Revision as of 18:00, 30 April 2012
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2012) |
| Bersih 3.0 rally | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 28 April 2012 | ||
| Location | |||
| Goals | To call for free and fair elections in Malaysia. | ||
| Status | Concluded | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
| Number | |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
| |||
The Bersih 3.0 rally (also called the Sit In rally or Duduk Bantah in Malay) was a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur held on 28 April 2012. This rally was organised as a follow-up to the 2011 Bersih rally and the 2007 Bersih rally. The rally, which is being organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), was supported by Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition of the three largest opposition parties in Malaysia. Following the last rally in 2011, the government of Malaysia organised a Public Select Committee (PSC) into looking at electoral reforms in Malaysia which recently release their proposals on electoral reforms. Bersih has claim that PSC proposals were half-hearted and pointed out that the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) is insincere in introducing electoral reforms. Bersih has stated that they would call off the rally if the Malaysian government gives a guarantee that the electoral reforms will take place before the next Malaysian general elections.
Background
Bersih
Bersih, short for the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Template:Lang-ms), is a coalition of 62 non-governmental organisations founded in November 2006.[4][5] Since its founding, Bersih has been supported by the three main opposition parties, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS, and DAP.[5] Bersih is the Malay word for "clean."[6]
Bersih, is chaired by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan. Ambiga served as president of the Bar from 2007 to 2009 and is a recipient of the U.S. State Department's International Women of Courage Awards.[7][8]
The first Bersih rally on 10 November 2007 was estimated to have drawn between 30,000 to 50,000 people.[9] It was broken up by police using tear gas and chemical-laced water cannons.[9][10] The rally was said to play a major role in helping the opposition parties make big gains in the 2008 general election.[11] The second rally on 9 July 2011 was met with similar force by the police after they tried to make their way to Stadium Merdeka.[12]
Bersih's demands
The Bersih's immediate demands were:[13]
- Clean the electoral roll
- Reform postal voting
- Use of indelible ink
- A minimum campaign period of 21 days
- Free and fair access to mainstream media
- Strengthen public institutions
- Stop corruption
- Stop dirty politics
Public select committee
Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reforms was form in the aftermath of the 2011 Bersih rally. The committee consisting of five Barisan Nasional MPs, three Pakatan Rakyat MPs and one Independent MP came up with 22 recommendations for reforming the electoral system in Malaysia.[14] However an opposition minority report was rejected by the parliament speaker without further debate.[15][16]
Lead up to the rally
Announcement
Early this April, the Public Select Committe released a report into their findings on electoral reform. However the speaker in the Dewan Rakyat, or House of Representatives, passed the report with no debate between the opposition and ruling parties. An opposition minority report was not included in the final report.[17] So far none of Bersih's demands have been met and with indications that the Malaysian would be calling an general election shortly without any electoral reforms being implemented, Bersih announced that 28 April 2012 is the date for a third gathering or rally for clean and fair elections.[18]
Non-government organisations
Bersih has been backed by the Bar Council of Malaysia and Suhakam [19]The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) supports the Bersih's right for a peaceful assembly.[20]
Government reaction
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has revealed that the government had overreacted in its response to the Bersih rally in 2011.[21] Hishammuddin has said that the government does not view the Bersih 3.0 rally as a security threat.[22] He even offered two alternative venues to that of Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Jalil National Stadium and Stadium Merdeka which was rejected by Bersih as insincere.[23]
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim has describe the Bersih rally as "dirty", saying they do not respect the laws of the country.[24]
After several meetings between Bersih and DBKL, no compromise was made regarding the choice of venue for the rally.[25]DBKL in order to prevent the sit-in rally by Bersih, has erected barricades around the area.[26]
Court orders
The Malaysian High Court has instructed the Hishammuddin to clarify whether Bersih is a banned organisation, especially since his recent statements have been inconsistent regarding the organisation.[27][28]
The Malaysian police has received a court order barring any entry by Bersih into Dataran Merdeka and they would classify any rally as illegal if there is a gathering there.[29][30]
Further revelations
During the lead up to the rally it was revealed that the Election Commission (EC) chairman and deputy chairman were UMNO members, leading to claims of conflict of interest. Bersih stated they would give the two men the benefit of the doubt until more information surfaces.[31][32]
Protest
Despite the police roadblocks, up to 300,000[1] people turned up for the Bersih rally in and around Kuala Lumpur city centre. Close to 58 roads leading into the city were blocked by the police.[33] Protestors gathered at several points in the city such as Masjid Negara, Masjid India, Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Brickfields and Jalan Sultan before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka.[34]
Police began using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors after they began breaching the barricades. [35][36] A police car was overturned after the car was attacked by Bersih protesters, hence losing control of the car and subsequently running into the crowd and injuring two protesters. The policeman who was driving the car later claimed that he lost consciousness during the accident. Other protesters later protected the police officer from retaliation.[37] Some claimed that the patrol car was overturned to remove a victim thought to be trapped under the car.
A total of 512 people who took part in the rally were arrested for various offences. This is however much less than the 1,667 detained in the Bersih 2.0 rally the previous year.[38]
Social media were used not only to organise the rally, but to spread the mission of Bersih 3.0.
Other Malaysian cities
Simultaneous Bersih rallies were held in other cities throughout Malaysia such as Kota Kinabalu, Sabah[39]; Kuching, Sarawak[40]; Kuantan, Pahang; Ipoh, Perak; Bandar Malacca, Malacca and Johor Bahru, Johor.[41]
Overseas rallies
In total there were rallies held in 35 countries and 85 cities around the world.[42]
Large rallies were held in cities in Australia such as Sydney[43][44], Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth.[45] Rallies in Singapore, Thailand and other ASEAN countries were also large.[46]
Rallies were also organised in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Jordan, South Korea, China, United States, Canada, Russia and various countries in Europe.[42]
Aftermath
Statements of Malaysian Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, gave remarks in the aftermath of the rally. Najib claimed that Bersih activists merely wanted to paint a negative image of the Government to the world and confront the police so that they could throw allegations of police brutality to the public. Najib also claimed that the organizers are not concerned about fair and clean elections, that the rally was politically motivated, and that it was conducted by supporters of Pakatan Rakyat in an attempt to take over Putrajaya.[47]
International observers
International observers have described the Bersih rally as 'peaceful', 'festive' and 'exemplary'.[48]
References
- ^ a b S Pathmawathy (28 April 2002). "300,000 at Bersih 3.0, Ambiga claims success". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ Police violence marks Malaysia reform rally Aljazeera. 28 April 2012.
- ^ a b Cops release 200 protesters in batches The Star. 29 April 2012.
- ^ "Endorsees". Bersih. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ a b "About BERSIH". Bersih. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Bersih". Dictionary. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Presidents' Roll". Malaysian Bar. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Remarks by Clinton on International Women of Courage Awards". U.S. Department of State. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Police block Malaysia protest". Al Jazeera English. 22 December 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ Brant, Robin (10 November 2007). "Malaysia police break up protest". BBC News. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ Netto, Anil (24 June 2011). "Malaysian politics take to the streets". Asia Times Online. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ Bersih insists on holding rally at Stadium Merdeka The Star Online
- ^ "Bersih's 8 demands". Bersih 2.0. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ PSC report gripped last week’s sitting Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Speaker rejects minority report, tempers flare Free Malaysia Today
- ^ PSC's report on electoral reforms passed without debate theSundaily
- ^ Bersih 3.0 wants to sit down and protest New Mandala
- ^ Bersih 3.0 wants to sit down and protest — Dahlia Martin The Malaysian Insider
- ^ Suhakam, Bar Council show support for Bersih 3.0 Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Interfaith group: Support Bersih 3.0, all religions demand fair play and transparency Malaysia Chronicle
- ^ We overreacted to Bersih 2.0, says Hisham Malaysiakini
- ^ Bersih Rally Not Security Threat - Hishammuddin BERNAMA
- ^ 2 stadiums offered as alternate Bersih rally venue AsiaOne News
- ^ Rais calls Bersih ‘dirty’ gathering Free Malaysia Today
- ^ DBKL and Bersih in deadlock over Dataran theSundaily
- ^ DBKL locks down Dataran Merdeka Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Court orders Hisham to clarify Bersih ban Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Court orders Hisham to state if Bersih still banned The Malaysian Insider
- ^ Court order issued against Bersih 3.0 theSundaily
- ^ Court Grants Restraining Order Barring Entrance Into Dataran Merdeka BERNAMA
- ^ EC-Umno ties: Ambiga shocked Free Malaysia Today
- ^ EC chief, deputy admit they ‘could have been’ Umno members The Malaysian Insider
- ^ 80,000 at city centre despite KL lockdown Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Court order and barriers won’t stop Bersih Free Malaysia Today
- ^ Police fire tear gas, water cannons as demonstrators push into Dataran The Malaysian Insider
- ^ Police fires tear gas, water cannon New Straits Times
- ^ Driver: I passed out before crash malaysiakini
- ^ Lisa J. Ariffin (28 April 2002). "388 arrested at Bersih rally". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ Bersih 3.0 a huge success – organiser Borneo Post Online
- ^ Bersih sit-ins pass without incident The Star Online
- ^ Bersih rallies smooth in five other states Malaysia Chronicle
- ^ a b Spirit of Bersih 3.0 flows abroad malaysiakini
- ^ Bersih on a cool Saturday in Sydney malaysiakini
- ^ Sydney comes out strong for Bersih 3.0 The Malaysian Insider
- ^ Malaysian movement for free and fair elections goes global Radio Australia
- ^ Malaysians in Singapore support Bersih 3.0 Malaysia Chronicle
- ^ "Opposition not concerned about free and fair elections, says Najib". The Star (Malaysia). 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
- ^ http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bersih-protesters-exemplary-say-international-observers/
External links
- Bersih 3.0
- Joint Communiqué issued by Bersih
