It is 2 days before 428 (April 28). Saturday is the date for Bersih 3.0 themed “Duduk Bantah” at Dataran Merdeka at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The Home Minister Hishamuddin has underscored that they have learnt not to repeat the past reactions towards Bersih and that Bersih 3.0 is of no threat to the country. In fact, he proudly declared that it will have no traction with the people. A high court judge has asked of Hishamuddin regarding his change of stance towards Bersih that he “banned” Bersih 2.0 but “permitted” Bersih 3.0. He might just witness a milestone event beyond his imagination totally contrary to his wish.
Strangely, the Police has rejected the application by Bersih 3.0 to hold the rally and KL Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail has had a confrontation with the organizers of Bersih in a meeting recently. He held a press conference and positioned himself as the saint that if any chaos happen, it will be blamed on Bersih. What a nerve he has to forget that he is a civil servant and that means a servant of the people who pays his salary. It is very sad that Malaysian leaders have long forgotten the service to the people and have fallen in line with service to the political party. Dataran Merdeka belongs to the people. What would Tunku Abdul Rahman say in back in 1957 if we had a KL Mayor like Ahmad Fuad.
To date, besides Kuala Lumpur, there are 71 other sites around Malaysia and around the world that will hold Bersih 3.0 rallies. Well, 72 if you count Mount Everest as a location (in Nepal) (read here). This will break new ground of global Bersih coverage by Malaysians around the world and judging by what happened in Bersih 2.0, we will find friends of Malaysians joining in as well to stand with all of us in solidarity.
Why is this happening?
The way the Parliament responded to Bersih 2.0 demands for a clean and fair election by accepting the indelible ink use but whitewashed all other points making fraud even easier through postal and unfair access to the media. For an in-depth dissertation on the PAC report from Tindak Malaysia‘s viewpoint, please read here. This is worth your while to understand exactly what the problems are with the PAC report and instead of making things cleaner and fairer, it became worse. A lot worse!
In response to this PAC report and the lack of urgency to see through the implementation of the recommendations, Bersih 3.0 is pivotal to moving forward towards a clean and fair elections.
No Stopping Bersih
Interestingly, the Home Minister and our very quiet PM have chosen to let the Police and KL Mayor to do their dirty work of toning down Bersih 3.0 without the appearance of highhandedness. Although the Home Ministry has made it public that they have no issue with Bersih 3.0, the Police and the KL Mayor have blocked it.
At this late stage, they want the venue changed to Stadium Merdeka and assured Bersih that it will be made available. We heard this before by Najib last July and when Bersih went to get permission for Stadium Merdeka, they were turned down. Such prior experiences tells that this change are all tactics of confusing and double talk from the KL Mayor who is placed in the line of fire by Hishamuddin.
So, come what may, Bersih 3.0 will have the “duduk bantah” at Dataran Merdeka this Saturday.
No Stopping the Police and DBKL
By giving the lame excuse that Dataran Merdeka is only for national level events, DBKL shot themselves in the foot when it was exposed that they had approved for private company events. By giving the excuse of a security issue, what about the times when our Merdeka Day celebrations were held there? It would have been a bigger nightmare (unless the crowd this Saturday eclipse the National Day Parade).
The Police will be there. DBKL will be there. Both are gearing up to stop Bersih participants in their tracks. Everything Bersih does is in the open and public. Everything the Police and DBKL do are private and secretive. And there is no stopping them to stop Bersih 3.0 from happening.
Will the Police come out in full force to lock down KL? We will know tomorrow (Friday).
Will the Police bring out the water cannons and tear gas to subdue the innocent public? We will know on Saturday.
The Challenge
If we find the younger generation making their presence felt at Bersih 2.0, we shall find professionals and executives at Bersih 3.0. In fact, we will find all walks of life at Bersih 3.0. All Malaysians who feel and care about the future of Malaysia will want to show their support in one voice on Saturday.
What changed? Bersih 3.0 is not against the Government. It is against unfair and unclean elections and the agents that allow Malaysian elections to be unfair and unclean. It is apolitical and hence, Malaysians are willing to stand up and be counted.
Common Goal
Bersih 3.0 is a common goal for all Malaysians who support a clean and fair election and wish to see the best political team win the elections to guide and lead Malaysia into a better future. It is a noble cause, it is a needful cause.
Which also means those who don’t support Bersih may inadvertently be supporting an election that cheats and being unfair to those challenging the incumbent. By this, it refers to BN and their desperation to cling on to power at all costs.
If Bersih 3.0 has overwhelming support
This will mean a few things. Come Saturday, it will be the biggest eye-opener in the history of Malaysia since our independence. If there are 100,000 people sitting down at Dataran Merdeka or more when they overflow to the surrounding areas, Najib will have the shock of his life regarding the feel of the groundswell push for a free and fair election. He may just have to postpone the GE13 not by choice.
If Bersih 3.0 has little support
This will mean that Najib will feel that he has won the day and he can call the GE13 by end of May once the school holidays begin. However, it is highly unlikely that this scenario will pan out because the momentum has already started to build. The Police will have to double their efforts in locking down KL to prevent the sea of Malaysians to get to Dataran Merdeka.
Will the Government listen to the people?
In all likelihood, the answer will be an outright NO!
They view Bersih as evil, totally against the way BN wants to run an election.
They view the people as naive, that they must buy all that BN says. When BN says the elections is clean and fair, then it must be!
Alas, the new dawn is upon all Malaysians and we are no longer as gullible as in the past.
If you are going…
Be prepared. There are some fundamental instructions here. Make sure you are fully prepared.
Be there. Be safe!
Malaysians will be there for each other!
Proud 2B Malaysian 
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