This post should have been written last week but I got caught up with other things.
I believe in justice. I get super angry if things are unfair. Fatty calls me a feminist but I think I’m more of an equalist because I don’t like it either when people say men should do or not do certain things just because they were born with penises wtf. And I believe in the right to exercise my constitutional rights (wow that was a mouthful wtf)
But I’m ashamed to say that I wasn’t a part of Bersih 2.0. I wanted to go, true – and I’d made plans with Celestine and Su Ann and planned routes but when it came down to it, my parents were too scared to let me go and I was more scared of my parents than tear gas wtf.
So I didn’t go. I sat at Chatime with Jammie and Suet and none of us said much as we all scrolled through #bersih tweets on our respective Blackberries, feeling like Class A jerks.
From Wikipedia:
The Bersih 2.0 rally (also called the Walk for Democracy) was a demonstration in Kuala Lumpurheld on 9 July 2011 as a follow-up to the 2007 Bersih rally.
The rally, organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) was deemed illegal by the government.
Bersih were pushing the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) to ensure free and fair elections in Malaysia. It demanded that the EC:
- Clean the electoral roll
- Reform postal ballot
- Use of indelible ink
- Minimum 21 days campaign period
- Free and fair access to media
- Strengthen public institutions
- Stop corruption
- Stop dirty politics
The police vowed to stop any rallies from taking place on the planned date on the grounds that all public gatherings without police permits are illegal. And Bersih was refused a permit. Having originally planned to march through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, Bersih decided to hold its rally at Merdeka Stadium after consultations with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia’s head of state.
The rally was supposed to be a peace walk and it should be remarked that the protestors remained amazingly non-violent and relatively calm despite being teargassed by members of the police.
Some sources say about 50,000 people gathered on the streets of KL despite the roadblocks and “lockdown” of the city, although officially the number is supposed to be about 6,000.
And then after it was over, certain parties denied certain things from ever happening – denied that the police shot tear gas into a hospital and said it must have been the wind which blew the gas in WTF.
Below is one video out of many that were produced from footage taken by people who were present and circulated.
value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/bBSiQfLnnd0?version=3&hl=en_US”>
For two weeks, Malaysians (especially the ones with internet connections wtf) have been relieving Bersih through Twitter (via hashtags #bersih and #bersihstories), Facebook, blogs, and videos such as these.
And for two weeks, Malaysians have been weeping with outrage that the people in power really take us for stupid, weeping with joy and overwhelming pride in our fellow countrymen and our nation (and let me tell you Malaysians – or most of the people I know anyway – are not a really patriotic bunch…at least until now), tearing because people who took part in the rally remained peaceful and strong despite whatever was thrown their way, and weeping because there is hope.
If you have time, watch this too.
I wrote this entry because I think I have some readers who are not Malaysian. And I thought it was important that more people out of our country know what’s going on here.
To all who went, I have nothing but the utmost gratitude and pride in you.
For firsthand accounts of Bersih, please read KYSpeaks, Suanie, Tim, Xes.
Comments (14)
Today, I weep for my country.
well as a foreigner who visited KL, i think you should be really aware to avoid extremists to take advantage of conditions and force Islamic laws….
Screw Najib!
Thanks for posting this. I’m from OZ and I’ve not heard a lot about other countries’ politics. Good on the people who got out there and marched but also to people like yourself, who blog, tweet and talk to others about it- you’re informing the world and the more people read, see and hear about injustices and do something, the more you’re helping changing government for good!
I’m not Malaysian but my boyfriend is. We weren’t in Malaysia on the day Bersih happened, but both of us did the same thing as what you and your friends did – eyed on twitter. I even had goosebumps reading Bersih stories. So glad you guys did it for a better Malaysia:)
I am not Malaysian but I actually cried when my boyfriend (who is Malaysian) showed me videos of the rally! T___T
It’s really saddeningto read people’s account on what happened.. the tear gassing of Tung Shin etc.
but i think it was better for some not to go for the BERSIH RALLY in Msia not cos out of cowardiance la.. but safety quite important… and there were many who were hurt.
You can also do your part and blog more about it and urge ur fellow malaysians to register to vote… and to educate self who to vote for the next election!! =)
It makes me so angry that after the brave doctors signed the petition that the teargas was indeed shot into the hospitals, the damn minister retracted his original statement of denial of such events and said that it was the hospitals fault for not informing him of such events.
What a liar. We should have a restructuring of the people at the top.
Even the queen wore yellow n the prime minister cancelled on najib. That shows how the world views these people
thank you for writing this entry
Hi Aud, I hope you would read my version of 709. 🙂
http://lunedombre.blogspot.com/2011/07/aftermath-of-709_12.html
i haven’t even read the post yet but i have been waiting for this post since 709!! i knew u wud write something abt it, and i was right 🙂 u kno u’ve got the influence to awaken the patriotism in young msians <3
Another news from TheStar – Najib says BERSIH wanted to provoke the police :- taking video, uploading in YOUTUBE and etc ! Disappointed max !
as a non malaysian, i still felt really proud of the malaysians who stood together in this rally as one. i happened to be in melbourne and attended the bersih rally there at Federation Square. it was a peaceful one. the one in KL could have remained peaceful too if the police didnt interfere. i’m sorry for malaysians to have such a government. one who lies, twist facts, and refuse to admit their mistakes. sincerely wish you guys all the best. may things change for the better.