bersih rally

Today marks a potentially important day for Malaysia. Some 70 NGO groups and opposition parties have formed BERSIH (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections) and are organising a peaceful demonstration, demanding for a reform in the electoral system for fairer elections. The "protesters" will gather at Dataran Merdeka (Freedom/Independence Square) at 3pm and will then proceed towards Istana Negara (National Palace) to hand in a memorandum to His Majesty the Yang DiPertuan Agung hoping for his intervention. All involved in the rally are asked to wear yellow to signify the Royal family, and if any change is to become of this event, it will likely be known as the "gelombang kuning" (yellow wave).

However, the gathering has not been given permission by the police. In Malaysia, public gatherings of more than five persons without a permit is against the law and the police have the right to catch you, although this is rarely enforced. The government and the Prime Minister himself have advised against participation. The government is likely to make things difficult for the protesters: there are already roadblocks and road closures to limit the inflow of people into KL. This will be the largest rally since the Anwar Ibrahim one in 1998.

They are hoping to get 100,000 supporters. All the best for you brave souls out there. I hope for the best!

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Update: Great. Something has happened and I can't access Raja Petra's blog. Darn!

Update 2: As expected, police were mobilized, tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowd. But it was a peaceful rally so there was no vandalism like in 1998.

Update 3: OK, they've managed to pass the memorandum to the Agung's secretary. Main objective accomplished. Got this from malaysiakini (click to enlarge):

Kinda like a battleplan eh? Haha...

Update 4: 80 people reported captured. Probably used the Internal Security Act (ISA) again? I don't know. Updates can be obtained from SuaraKeadilan (in Malay).