A group of Malaysians studying in Australia has vowed to proceed with plans to hold protests in support of the Bersih 2.0 rally despite warnings by the Malaysian authorities.

One Adelaide-based student, who wished to be known only as Maverick, said in a statement that the protests will be held to coincide with the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, which is scheduled to kick off at 2pm Malaysian time.

Maverick said protests would be held across seven cities at symbolic locations such as the Malaysian consulates in Sydney and Perth, as well as the Parliament House in Canberra.

However, he expects the largest crowd in Melbourne.

"In Adelaide, the rally would be held at Victoria Square Fountains - it would be more towards teaching Malaysian students about democracy and about the situation that we're facing in Malaysia.

"As we all know, the majority of young Malaysians are very afraid to voice out their concerns and stand up for politics."

Maverick said that unlike Malaysia, it was easy to obtain permission to hold their protest as in the case of Adelaide, one merely needs to inform the city council.

"I believe that we have taken all possible and necessary precautionary measures which include getting police clearance and council notifications... So we're ready for July 9."

' Aussie MPs will back us'

Maverick also said that he and other students were unperturbed by the warning dispatched by the Malaysian consulate on June 24 because they believe Australians will support their cause.

NONE "I'm not afraid at all even though I'm a student. I know that the Australians practice democracy and they would support us in organising such events.

"In the next few days, we would be contacting state senators and MPs to support us in this rally," said the student.

Supporters of Bersih 2.0 elsewhere are planning to hold similar protests in London and New York.

Bersih 2.0 is organising a rally to demand for electoral reforms and will march to the Istana Negara for a symbolic handing of a petition to the Agong.

However, the authorities have began cracking down on the coalition, which is led by civil society leaders, and have branded Bersih as a communist , Christian group funded and opposition-linked movement out to topple the federal government.

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