Tag: bersih 3.0

Two sides to every coin, even Bersih 3.0

So I didn’t get tear gassed and I wasn’t covered with chemical laced water by the cannons fired by the FRU. However, I did follow the updates closely of my friends who took part in the rally today. Here are some of the notable pictures by Malaysians who courageously took part in this campaign. You know who you are, leave a comment if you took the original photo.

#1 Razor wire all setup
#2 Malaysians are not weak
#3 Malaysians came
#4 Malaysians conquered - that's 1 street by the way
#5 Malaysians even came prepared

The extended Bersih 3.0 activity

#6 Leave goodwill messages

One Malaysian tweeted that there’s a goodwill tree for people to leave a message on and it was said that it’s allowed to be displayed until the upcoming general election. The truth in this is unconfirmed for me.

#7 Go go yellow ranger
#8 Bersih 3.0 Ipoh
#9 Bersih 3.0 Johor

In addition, there were Bersih 3.0 gatherings in other states like Penang and Melaka. Also, I’m pretty sure there may be much smaller groups who supported this in their own states but may not have added a photo to the #bersih hashtag via Twitter. Nonetheless, you’re still part of this movement already.

#10 Bersih 3.0 Japan
#11 Bersih 3.0 Hong Kong
#12 Bersih 3.0 Shanghai
#13 Bersih 3.0 Mekah

Besides that, Bersih 3.0 rallies were taking place in other parts of the world like Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland to name a few, by the Malaysians residing in those countries.

We’ve still a long way to go

It’s only fair to talk about the other side of the coin as well. Here were some of the things which happened.

#14 Habit of throwing stuff conveniently
#15 Why couldn't we do it the right way in KL
#16 Just because you can doesn't mean you're suppose to do it

The worst event of Bersih 3.0 – police car incident

I had friends say their eyes hurt due to the tear gas and some which said they were having a skin reaction to the chemical laced water. However, my dear Malaysians, this was suppose to be a peaceful rally. Whether or not you were influenced by the forces to behave otherwise, I hope you reflect on your actions for it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ara569Nh_U0]

I was very surprised to find news that Malaysians overturned a police car. My heart gave the full benefit of the doubt that we won’t be behave as such cavemen. However, watching the first 15 seconds into the video proved me otherwise.

From such a situation, it led to a more worst scene. The police car had reportedly run into some Malaysians. Some say it resulted in a fatality. Watch closely 35 seconds into the video below.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0TnNtzIhTw]

Some Malaysians jumped right in to control the crowd frenzy happening. The priority was to help casualties of the collision. This resulted in the overturn police car as some Malaysians believed there may have been a person trapped beneath the car.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZmS2AczePY]

Based on the videos I’ve watched, there are 2 sides of the coin to be blamed. Whether it was only caused by 1, can and will only be proved when there’s proof of it. Until then, we can’t ignore the fact that we lost a fellow Malaysian here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xh52zernUM]

This video close up revealed the beating and damage taken to the police car, which shouldn’t have happened. But it also shows our justice to beat down those who were wrong for their actions. And, it shows our compassion as Malaysians (even in a rally) that we love our own and we know when we need to protect and rescue them from harms way.

To all the Malaysians who took part in Bersih 3.0, I thank you for carving a hole of light for our future. We know when we have to stand and we know when action will be necessary.

*salute*

Yellow yellow Bersih 3.0 fellow

Tomorrow’s going to be a day to follow on Twitter and Facebook. It’s the 3rd instalment of the Bersih rally by Malaysians who are, I wouldn’t say protesting, but creating the awareness that they wish to have an improved electoral system. One that’s cleaner and fairer.

The previous Bersih 2.0 rally, where more than 10,000 people walked the streets in Kuala Lumpur was about these 8 points:

  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

Following the updates of friends who participated in the rally and those who updated their Twitter, some people got hurt, someone died and never did anything about it, tear gas filled the air and water cannons were fired.

The Bersih 3.0 sit-in rally happening tomorrow at Dataran Merdeka is calling for:

  1. The Election Commission must resign, as it has failed in its responsibility and has lost the confidence of the public.
  2. The electoral process must be cleaned before the 13th General Elections.
  3. Invite international observers to observe the 13th General Elections.

The authorities (municipal and police) have taken action to blockade the area of Dataran Merdeka to prevent a scene. However, reading the updates online, it looks like the rally will definitely still be happening.

Call me a coward or un-Malaysian, I may not be sitting down with you, though I still carry concerns close to my heart that everyone participating be safe.

And to the other side, do not overcomplicate a matter which was meant to be peaceful. You can do something better than what happened at Bersih 2.0 about it.

Everyone needs to look into the mirror sometimes.