Bersih 5 is already a success, and the coming Nov 19 rally will be but a celebration of that success, former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan says.

"Bersih 5 is already a success because of all the convoys and all the towns they've been to.

"We are already a success, so on the 19th we are going to celebrate that success," Ambiga told Malaysiakini during a Bersih event to rally support at a morning market in Klang today.

Bersih launched a seven-week nationwide convoy early last month to raise awareness of its agenda for the Nov 19 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

The electoral reform movement is calling for electoral and democratic reforms, as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal that has sparked worldwide investigations.

However, the Bersih weekend convoys have been harassed by Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos' red-shirts group, who would set up roadblocks and heckle the convoys, with several confrontations turning violent.

Responding to criticism that past Bersih rallies did not seem to effect any changes, Ambiga insisted that they have achieved something with every Bersih rally.

She cited the passing of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as well as the use of indelible ink in elections as the result of Bersih's activism.

"There are many changes... people want big changes (but) change doesn't happen that way."

Shat is most important now is for the rakyat to show their unhappiness with the state of the country right.

The Bersih 5 rally, she said, comes at a time when the country is facing its biggest challenges and crises.

This is the rakyat's chance to speak out on issues plaguing the country.

"If we miss this chance, we may not get another chance to collectively voice our grievances (anymore)," she said.

Early this morning, a group from Bersih, including Ambiga and Klang MP Charles Santiago, visited several morning markets in the Klang area to distribute Bersih leaflets and canvass for the Nov 19 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

While initially the response was lukewarm as the people remained wary of any sudden commotion, a number of the market-goers and sellers soon began to welcome the Bersih entourage.

This was especially so at several of the coffee shops and restaurants near the morning markets, with many people clamouring to shake hands and take pictures with Ambiga.