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Bersih 5 rally

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Bersih 5 rally
Part of Bersih rally
DateNovember 19, 2016
Location
Jalan Bangsar to Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
(Bersih Convoy: Kangar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bahru, Lumut, Sandakan and Miri)
Goals
StatusConfirmed
Parties
Red Shirts
Orange Shirts[2]
Lead figures

Jamal Yunos (detained)[3]
Datuk R.S. Thanenthiran (MMSP president)

The Bersih 5 rally (also known by its tagline: Combine our energy – New Malaysia)[4] is a planned democratic protest in Malaysia. It is supported by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and planned for November 19, 2016. The rally was held calling for a new and cleaner electoral system in Malaysia. A Bersih convoy was also launched and intends to target all parts of Malaysia to raise awareness of the current democratic problems nationwide.[5][6][7][8]

Background

Incumbent Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has denied any wrongdoing amidst the ongoing 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal and former premier Mahathir Mohamad has come out in support of pro Bersih campaigners.[9] The pro government group led by Jamal Yunos indicates that the Red Shirts will confront the yellow shirt Bersih protestors during the stipulated rally on 19 November 2016. In a prelude encounter, Jamal Yunos was injured with his nose bloodied in Ampang during a scuffle with the police, with Jamal shouting that he was punched by the police but later claiming he was punched by a Bersih supporter.[10]

Steven Gan, an editor of an online news website Malaysiakini was charged in court under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act for the reporting of Prime Minister Najib and 1Malaysia Development Berhad, leading up to the rally.[11][12][13]

Red Shirts

The Red Shirts were basically formed to opposed the activities of Bersih, especially its criticisms of the government and to support the government.[14] Many members of the Red Shirts consists of UMNO, which is the ruling party in Malaysia.[15] [16][17]

Participants

Pre-rally plans

Bersih convoy

Bersih organised a convoy of vehicles to tour parts of Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak to disseminate information to the public about the Bersih's goals regarding institutional reforms and creating awareness about the 1MDB scandal.[18] Throughout their nationwide roadshow in Peninsula Malaysia, the Bersih convoy had to endure harassment from anti-Bersih groups such as the Red Shirts and the police.[19][20][21]

Pre-rally arrests

The Malaysian police, during their raid on Bersih's office in Petaling Jaya arrested Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and secretariat Mandeep Singh for their part in organising the rally.[22][23] Maria Chin was charged under the Security Offences Act 2012, with the police saying that it was to prevent riots and breach of the peace and public order.[24] Ronnie Liu, an opposition leader of the Democratic Action Party was arrested as well on charges on attempting a riot.[25] Anthony Loke, another member of DAP was also arrested in an investigation on his speech calling for the removal of Prime Minister Najib.[26] S Arulchelvan, an opposition leader from Parti Sosialis Malaysia was arrested in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. [27] Another member of the Bersih committee, Hishamuddin Rais was arrested a few hours before the rally began.[28] Bersih officials have condemned the arrest as a blatant abuse of power and harassment by the authorities.[29][30]

The leader of the Red Shirts, a group opposing Bersih and their Yellow Shirt followers, Jamal Yunos was arrested a few hours before the Bersih rally began.[31]

Rally incidents

The counter-rally by the Red Shirts ended prematurely after they were unable to get past the police blockade to confront the Bersih rally-goers, with a majority of them dispersing at Padang Merbok. [32][33]

Aftermath

Reactions

Prime Minister

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was in Tokyo, voiced that Malaysian should respect the law and avoid chaos and physical clashes. He also states that Malaysian can elect for their president without having to riot as it was not the Malaysia's culture.[34]

Malaysia Police

Inspector General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar stated that Bersih 5 does not fulfil the Section 10(c) and Section 11 of Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as there was no consent letter was produced for the venue of the rally, Dataran Merdeka.[35]

Non-governmental organisations

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the spate of arrests by the government of Malaysian activists as a form of intimidation and harassment against dissent. [36][37][38]

References

  1. ^ "Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad urges citizens to join protest against Najib Razak". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^ "After Red Shirts, Now These Orange Shirts Want To Join The Anti-Bersih Bandwagon". SAYS.com. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Malaysian PM Najib warns protesters over violence ahead of demonstration". Channel NewsAsia. CNA. 17 Nov 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Bersih 5 rally set for Nov 19". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Why Bersih is marching for the fifth time on Nov 19 - Malaysiakini". Malaysia Kini. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Maria Chin: Bersih 5 in November". The Malay Mail. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Bersih 5 on November 19". The Malay Mail. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Bersih 5 rally set for Nov 19". The Star. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  9. ^ http://www.wsj.com/articles/1mdb-scandal-around-malaysian-prime-minister-najib-puts-spotlight-on-wife-1473606895
  10. ^ "Jamal's nose bloodied in Ampang". Youtube. The Star Online. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  11. ^ http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2047318/editor-charged-malaysia-over-1mdb-coverage-eve-huge-anti
  12. ^ http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/bersih-5-five-things-you-need-know-122128
  13. ^ http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/10/31/bersih-5-convoy-gets-warm-welcome-at-balai-ringin/
  14. ^ http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/red-shirts-gather-to-counter-bersih-5-rally
  15. ^ http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/363203
  16. ^ http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2062828
  17. ^ >http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/16/umno-powerless-to-stop-members-from-wearing-red-shirts/
  18. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/10/182740/bersih-5-convoy-causes-barely-stir-pahang
  19. ^ http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/11/sarawak-bersih-convoy-peaceful-as-theres-no-umno/
  20. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/188318/man-recorded-hurling-racist-remarks-bersih-5-convoy-under-investigation
  21. ^ http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/360116
  22. ^ http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/18/police-arrests-maria-chin-after-bersih-raid/
  23. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/189909/bersih-rally-go-or-without-maria-chin
  24. ^ http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/maria-chin-detained-under-sosma
  25. ^ http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2065596
  26. ^ http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/363324
  27. ^ http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/18/psms-arulchelvan-arrested-on-way-to-his-office/
  28. ^ http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-arrests-activist-hishamuddin-rais-as-thousands-join-anti-govt-protests
  29. ^ http://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/bersih-arrests-11182016164235.html
  30. ^ https://www.ft.com/content/0d563386-acad-11e6-9cb3-bb8207902122
  31. ^ http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/19/cops-arrest-red-shirts-leader-jamal-yunos-from-hotel/
  32. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/190097/red-shirts-regrouping-padang-merbok
  33. ^ http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/11/19/red-shirts-disperse-leaving-padang-merbok-in-a-mess/
  34. ^ "Avoid chaos, Najib says ahead of Bersih". NST Online. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  35. ^ "IGP: Bersih 5 doesn't fulfil rules of Peaceful Assembly Act". Free Malaysia Today. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  36. ^ http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/aec/30300361
  37. ^ http://mysinchew.com/node/116125?tid=4
  38. ^ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/11/malaysia-end-crackdown-on-bersih-activists/

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