Malaysia prepares for #Bersih 3.0

Apr 28

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Malaysia prepares for #Bersih 3.0

Tensions are mounting in Kuala Lumpur as the much anticipated Bersih 3.0 rally draws near.

Supporters of Bersih (Clean) reform group display banners at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur April 27, 2012. REUTERS/Samsul Said

Note: we have an update with the latest on the Bersih rally here.

All eyes are on the Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) in Kuala Lumpur where 100,000 people are expected to take to the streets on Saturday in a push for electoral reform.

View the story "Malaysia prepares for #Bersih 3.0" on StorifyMalaysia prepares for #Bersih 3.0Tensions are mounting in Kuala Lumpur as the much anticipated Bersih 3.0 rally draws near.Storified by The Stream · Fri, Apr 27 2012 17:56:36The rally is the third installment in what is known as the Bersih (or "clean") movement. The initial Bersih rally, held in 2007 ahead of general elections, saw riot police fire teargas and water cannons on crowds and the arrest of 245 activists. With general elections expected later this year, the Bersih movement has once again been gathering steam in recent months. Last July, almost 1,700 people were arrested during the second Bersih rally, seen below.

Man of the Match Bersih 2.0pasueuArrests at the previous Bersih rallies were made on the grounds that the events were "illegal" gatherings without proper permits. According to opposition activists, the country's Peaceful Assembly Law passed late last year further restricts the rights of people to gather.

Malaysian journalist Cindi Loo, talked to The Stream about this matter and its relation to the Bersih movement.120428-023015.wmvahdi1119The Bersih movement advocates eight central demands: Accurate voter registration, reform to postal voting, the use of indelible ink in the voting process, a minimum campaign period of 21 days, fair access to the media, the strengthening of public institutions, and ending corruption and "dirty politics."

Below, Bersih 3.0 co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan reached out to Malaysians on April 18 from Dataran Merdeka, asking them to join the cause.
SUARA BERSIH-DATO' AMBIGAbersih428On Friday, police in Kuala Lumpur obtained a court order to prevent protesters from gathering at the Dataran until May 1. Still, some 4,000 protesters showed up at the square around midnight on Friday in a precursor to Saturday's mass rally. Activists gathered together using the hashtag #occupydataran.
datuk bandar, this is our permit! #occupydataran http://pic.twitter.com/TxqgEjX8#occupydataranundefinedTwimgundefinedTwimgwhose space? our space! #occupydataran http://pic.twitter.com/pcN8rVyN#occupydataranundefinedTwimgThis video shows protesters chanting at the entrance to the Dataran.
Night before Bersih: Chantingbersih428Meanwhile, reports indicated that local Blackberry access had been blocked to Malaysiakini, a popular alternative news source in the country.
#Malaysiakini under DDOS attack again. Our International server hit first at 5.30pm. BB users down. Local users still ok. #BersihPremesh ChandranMany Malaysians, such as Trinna Leong, a journalism student at Columbia University, feel the Bersih rally is an opportunity to push for greater democracy in their country.
Trinna Leong on Bersih in MalaysiaajstreamThe Stream will continue to monitor the Bersih rallies as they develop. If you have related photos, videos or comments, send them to us with the hashtag #AJStream.

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