Maria Chin Confirms Bersih 5 Will Still Go On Despite Ban From Dataran Merdeka
Bersih 2.0 wants to raise RM500,000 for this year's rally.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 03 Nov 2016, 06:49 PM
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin confirmed today, 3 November that the Bersih 5 rally will still go on despite being banned from Dataran Merdeka by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)
According to a report by Malaysiakini, Maria said this to reporters after a meeting with the police at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to submit a notice of the rally.
The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 requires organisers to submit a notice to the officer in charge at the district police station where the rally is supposed to be held, at least 10 days before the planned date of the rally.
"Police did not say whether we can rally not, but we will proceed as announced, gathering first at Dataran Maybank (on Jalan Bangsar), Masjid Negara and then head to Dataran Merdeka,' explained Maria.
She did, however, stress that they will not be entering Dataran Merdeka as per the authorities' orders.
"The ban is only on Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Raja so we will not enter these two areas. We will respect Kuala Lumpur City Hall's request."
Just yesterday, DBKL informed that they have rejected Bersih's application to hold their fifth rally on 19 November at Dataran Merdeka. No explanation was given by the city hall for the ban.
"We also didn't give any approval for the previous rallies. Police and DBKL will control and set up barricade, we will cooperate with the police," said KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz told Malay Mail Online today, 3 November.
Maria stressed that the organisers will ensure that the rally is a peaceful one and will not break any rules set by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainol Samah urged Bersih to cancel the rally at a press conference held today evening
Zainol said that this is to upkeep the peace and that Bersih 2.0 should consider holding the rally in a closed space if they still wish to go on with the rally.
On 1 November, Bersih announced their official planned route for their rally that is set to be held on Saturday, 19 November from 10am till 6pm
They informed that rally goers can meet up at two main points, namely Dataran Maybank in Bangsar or Masjid Negara in central KL and then proceed to Dataran Merdeka.
Now that the authorities have banned rally goers from entering the Merdeka Square, Maria said that they will just gather outside of it.
It was also mentioned that Bersih has gathered 1,000 safety personnel, 80 medical officers including doctors, nurses and paramedics that are prepared for Bersih 5 rally.
In the midst of all this, incarcerated, former de facto opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to participate in the rally
"We have exhausted all means to strengthen democracy as affirmed in the Merdeka Declaration 1957 and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"This trust had been violated. Bersih's demands were also ignored.
"Therefore, I urge all Malaysians, in the spirit of brotherhood, to participate in the Bersih 5 rally on 19 November," said Anwar in a note released through PKR, as reported by Malaysiakini yesterday, 2 November.
The ex-DPM also believes that Malaysians' participation in the rally can help to bring changes to the nation.
Just a day prior to that, on 1 November, Bersih's steering committee member Hishammudin Rais said that Dr Mahathir's presence in their campaigns in Malay areas could increase their participation in the upcoming rally
Hishamuddin said that based on the response they've gotten from their tours, the committee is confident that the number of Malay participants would increase this year.
"His presence and that of Bersatu have had a positive impact and the response have been good... we managed to go into places that we could not enter before," he added, as reported by Malay Mail Online on 1 November.
Bersih has previously been accused by certain members of the ruling coalition as being a Chinese-centric movement that aims to topple the government
An aerial view of the crowd during the Bersih 4 rally which was held from 29 till 30 August 2015.
Image via The Malaysian Insider via AliranBersih has denied all allegations and said that it is an organisation that is focused on reforming Malaysia to be a better and more democratic country.
Bersih 2.0 was officially launched on 23 November 2006, and they have outlined eight main demands, namely;
1) Clean the electoral roll
2) Reform postal ballot
3) Use of indelible ink
4) Minimum 21 days campaign period
5) Free and fair access to media
6) Strengthen public institutions
7) Stop corruption
8) Stop dirty politics
Read more about Bersih's demands here.