KUALA LUMPUR: The Bersih 2.0 rally here saw tens of thousands of Malaysians being tear-gassed, sprayed with chemical-laced water and detained by police, but a global Bersih movement saw peaceful gatherings in at least 24 cities across the globe. Malaysians living in at least 24 cities in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US took part in the rally.
Several hundred people gathered in front of the Malaysian Consulate-General in New York City to demonstrate solidarity with the Malaysian movement.
The supporters signed a petition demanding clean and fair elections in their homeland before breaking into a rendition of Negaraku.
They wound up the rally by marching to the United Nations building just a few blocks away and continuing the rally there.
A yellow wave swept Pershing Square in Los Angeles,with nearly 100 people wearing yellow and waving Bersih 2.0 banners and the Jalur Gemilang (national flag).
The marchers there, too, signed a petition and then, led by organised James Cheng, walked to the Malaysian Consulate shouting “Bersih”, “Reformasi” and “Hidup Rakyat”.
The group then proceeded to the Los Angeles City Hall where they paid tribute to the marchers in Malaysia with a minute of silence.
They ended the day by singing the national anthem.
They ended the day by singing the national anthem.
In Melbourne, some 750 marchers with banners and placards calling for fair and clean elections gathered at Federation Square to call for electoral reform in Malaysia.
In Sydney as well, supporters gathered at Sydney Square and sang the national anthem. After about two hours, the participants dispersed peacefully. The gatherings were approved by the police after the organisers applied for a permit. The London march started noon there (late yesterday evening Malaysian time).
The supporters marched from the Malaysian High Commission to the Parliament building, and then Hyde Park before finally ending at Trafalgar Square.
The group was dressed in Bersih 2.0’s trademark yellow and carrying yellow balloons and placards. The official headcount from the organisers pegged the numbers at 500.
“The police turned up at Bersih London. No tear gas, though. No police state. No ISA. Just friendly words,” said London-based journalist Jeremiah Mahadevan.
“It is deplorable that we can stand here freely to voice our protest despite being foreigners, while in Malaysia our own citizens were beaten, dragged on the streets and fired upon by the police.” Jeremiah said.
In South Korea, some 30 Malaysians gathered at Gwanghwamun street, the downtown area of Seoul, at 3pm yesterday (2pm in Malaysia).
‘Police were aggressive’
The group had a day earlier sent in their memorandum to the Malaysian Embassy.
“We gathered again yesterday to join our Malaysian brothers and sisters,” said organiser Alfian Tahir, adding that they were pleasantly surprised when some 15 Malaysian tourists walking past joined in their rally.
“From here, we saw the videos of the protesters back home and I could see how orderly and disciplined the protesters were. It is not true what the authorities say about them causing trouble, they were only walking. The ones who caused trouble and were aggressive are the Malaysian police… beating up the protesters,” said Alfian.
Bersih 2.0 said the rally in Kuala Lumpur was a “great success”, with about 50,000 people taking to the streets to protest the “dirty” electoral system.
Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar, however, claimed that only 6,000 people showed up.
By Teoh El Sen and Tashny Sukumaran - July 11, 2011
Edited by Sonia S.
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