By Johan James
Bersih 2.0 made a successful debut in 2007, emerging as a coalition of NGOs to press the government to carry out fair and clean elections. The Bersih rally, also known as the Walk for Democracy, although deemed illegal by the government, received strong support from the opposition.
Bersih 2.0 comprised NGOs like Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Pembangunan Wanita Kolektif (WDC) and Penulis Media Bebas (WAMI). Back then, it was chaired by Datuk S.Ambiga Sreenivasan, the former president of the Bar Council.
Today, the coalition is led by Maria Chin Abdullah from WDC. Initially, the fundamental reasons behind Bersih 5.0 were to urge the government to have free and clean elections, a transparent government, the right to assemble peacefully, improve the nation’s democratic constitutional monarchy and lastly, to rescue the Malaysian economy.
However, this time around Bersih 5 is set to focus on pressuring the government to identify and apprehend “Malaysian Official One” or MO1, a reference mentioned 36 times in the US Department of Justice civil suit filed on July 22 in New York.
Probably to avoid being irrelevant, Bersih 5 still holds to their traditional demand, to call for fair and clean elections.
Despite challenges from the Red Shirts and the authorities, Bersih 2.0 adamantly wants to have this rally on Nov 19. Although it has announced the rally will be held in Kuala Lumpur, it is yet to specify the exact locations.
Nevertheless, a mixed crowd is much expected, as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has said that his party members will join the rally.
But the question remains: why are most of the original demands left out and why MO1 has been given paramount importance by Bersih 2.0? Is that simply because some are claiming without any proof that MO1 is the Prime Minister of Malaysia?
The failure of “Tangkap MO1”
Previously, on Aug 27, Gerakan Anak Muda Malaysia held a rally called “Tangkap Malaysian Official 1” to press the authorities to identify and arrest MO1. But to its disappointment, the rally failed to draw support from the general public and merely 1,000 people turned up.
So, why another rally to demand the same? Shouldn’t the Bersih 5 just focus on their earlier demands?
Bersih is politically motivated
Bersih 2.0’s move to pick on MO1 shows that the NGO is politically motivated rather than fighting for the rakyat. Bersih should stop being political and taking aim at certain political leaders.
The Bersih 3 rally held on April 28, 2012, was reportedly the most successful one, in which 80,000 to 100,000 people participated. However, the crowd had dwindled for the following Bersih 4. Adding to this, it was claimed that the crowd was heavily represented by the non-Malays.
According to my assessment, which is based on the “Tangkap MO1” rally two months ago, the crowd for Bersih 5 would be far less than 50,000. In other words, the dwindling crowd implies that Bersih 2.0 is losing its support and the people are growingly tired with its unsubstantiated claims.
Johan James is an FMT reader.
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