Electoral reforms pressure group Bersih, on its own volition, will make public its accounts in view of the large amount of donations it has received.

In a press release today, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah said public response to Bersih's donation drive for the Bersih 4 rally had been overwhelming.

"To date, we have received over RM1.5 million in donations. This far exceeds our initial budget of RM200,000 which was based on a shoe-string estimate and our sense of economic hardship Malaysians are enduring.

"We were ready to use our reserves to cover any gap between our expenditure and donations. Also, we expected to raise more funds through our annual fund-raising dinner later this year.

"By giving so generously while suffering such economic hardship, the rakyat have overwhelmingly endorsed our call for clean elections, clean government, the right to dissent and the strengthening of our parliamentary democracy so that our economy can be saved," she said.

Getting better gear

Despite declaring that the donation target had been exceeded, donations were still coming in, said Maria.

"Donors have said that they are signalling their discontent and that the donations were a small investment to put things right. Their donations signal their support for Bersih, not just the Bersih 4 peaceful assembly," she added.

Maria said that more funds meant more options for Bersih 4, as more equipments can be leased for the event.

"This includes portable toilets, communication devices, sound systems, lighting and generator sets," she said.

However, a large portion of the expenses will be used to fund security and logistics personnel. Maria said Bersih will also use the money to fund bail and litigation costs, if necessary.

Details of Bersih's accounts will be made public after the Bersih 4 rally, which will take place this weekend.

Bersih 4 aims to demand Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's ouster, in view of the 1MDB controversy and the RM2.6 billion "donation" he received as part of political funding.