Malacca and Johor Catholic Diocese Bishop Bernard Paul, who came under fire for urging people via Facebook to join the Bersih 5 rally, has vowed to be among the participants on Nov 19.

The bishop in fact had joined the Bersih 4 last year in Penang in his personal capacity.

"I am intending to (join the Bersih 5 rally), I have to take up my commitments," he told Malaysiakini.

The clergyman in his official capacity took to Facebook to encourage people to take part in the rally.

"I am a public figure now and things go differently. As a leader of my churches, I speak for my people," said Bernard, who was appointed the regional bishop early this year.

"All Malaysians who say that they love the tanahair, must claim it back from destructive leaders and institutions who love the wealth of the nation. Do not let them violate the land of our birth," he said in a statement posted on the Malacca and Johor Catholic Diocese Bishop Facebook page.

"Participating in Bersih is a citizen's right, not party politics, not supporting BN nor divisive opposition.

"Go to the rally on the 19th November.

"The church stands for Bersih elections, Bersih government, Bersih public institutions and Bersih wealth sharing.

"It is time to be part of history," he stressed in the posting.

Bernard also urged followers to fill the nation and neighbourhood with yellow lights to overcome the darkness, by lighting a lamp on their gates from Nov 14.

Bernard gives three reasons

When contacted, he gave three reasons for making the move.

Firstly, he said he wanted to express solidarity with good Malaysians who have been trying to make the country a better place.

"There are people putting their lives (on the line) for it. Bersih 5 convoy (supporters) were beaten and the law seems to be double standard," Bernard told Malaysiakini.

The Bersih 5 convoy, an awareness campaign for the Nov 19 mass rally, kicked off early this month was reportedly harassed by anti-Bersih groups.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, secretariat member Mandeep Singh and National Human Rights Society president Ambiga Sreenevasan have lodged police reports for receiving death threats.

"I also want to be one (good Malaysian), I feel I must support them and get my people to support them. I want a better Malaysia," Bernard said.

Secondly, he noted the community seemed to adopt a lackadaisical attitude or remained passive, with nobody speaking up and supporting them.

"We must make people realise that they must do something to contribute to a better Malaysia," he said.

"Lastly, I have had good many people in the church and beyond, enquiring about the right thing to do.

"As a bishop, I am a teacher and I have to teach the truth. The right thing to do. So it was a teaching to work with all peoples on the betterment of our nation and world," he said.

Bernard's message went viral on the social media and immediately courted criticism from Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) which slammed him for mixing religion with politics.

“It’s unwarranted. I think this is a half-past-six bishop. Why urge the people to participate in #Bersih rally?" news portal Malaysia Outlook quoted PCM vice-president Huan Cheng Guan as saying yesterday.

“A religious figure like him should not encourage the public to go for demonstrations or rallies. A highly-respected religious figure, but he talks like an idiot,” said Huan.

Bernard, however, seemed unfazed by the criticism.

"Noise is normal, I have no problem even if they call me an idiot. To me, I have expected such a reaction.

"Religious life and normal life are not two lives, but only one life. We must walk the talk, if I walk one but talk the other, then I am a hypocrite," he explained.

"The politicians said (I am) mixing (religion) with politics. No! I am teaching the people to work with other people and religion."

Bernard argued that he had a right to state his stand on political issues too.

"We are trying to make Malaysia better, is it wrong?" asked the prominent religious figure.