The momentum for Bersih 4 is picking up in Penang, with some 600 people showing up for a forum dubbed ‘Come, Walk the Talk’, which was organised by Aliran last night.

The room was sardine-packed, with many sitting on the floor, while others spilled out of the hall at the Caring Society Complex.

Bersih deputy chief Sarajun Hoda praised Penangites for attending the event in large numbers although it was a Monday night, saying they always showed a good example of people's power, especially when they voted in a new government in 2008.

"Because we have brains,” someone from the audience shouted, drawing claps and laughter from the crowd.

The people were shocked when Sarajun ( photo ) showed Powerpoint presentations of the 45 government agencies that are directly under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s thumb.

“Najib wants to control everything!” Sarajun exclaimed, adding this is why Bersih was necessary as Malaysia is “sick”, and needed to be saved since the country is “now in ICU”.

“Not only to be saved but Malaysia needs to be revived,” a member of the audience said, which Sarajun found very appropriate to describe the country's situation.

Aliran president Francis Loh expressed surprise at the large crowd, which he said was “unexpected”.

‘Bersih has empowered the people’

Loh said Bersih has empowered the people as Malaysians are no longer afraid to express their views.

In the past, it was difficult to organise forums in the Caring Society Complex as organisers were always given the runaround, he added.

“We were always told to get a police permit first. When we organise any event at the Esplanade, there will be police road blocks and we feel uncomfortable, but that feeling of fear has been removed,” Loh said.

“That is the biggest change because as an observer, an activist, I no longer fear the way I used to fear attending these kinds of meetings or events,” added the former academician, as the crowd cheered.

“It is now second nature to take to the streets.

“In the past, we only took to the streets during elections nomination day, or for religious reasons like Wesak day, or Malidur Rasul,” Loh ( photo ) said.

“Now we take to the streets when we feel uncomfortable about an issue.”

The electoral reform movement’s rally on Aug 29 and 30 in Kuala Lumpur is to make four demands: 1. Clean elections; 2. Clean governance; 3. Saving the economy; and 4. Preserving the right to dissent.

Police have deemed the rally illegal and warned that the force would use stun guns if the situation warranted.

Most of the forums in the Caring Society Complex organised by civil societies in the past drew only between 30 and 100 people.

Last night, the hall had to be extended to four halls to accommodate the crowd.

T-shirts sold like hot cakes

About RM8,600 in funds were collected, and the crowd showed eagerness to attend the mammoth rally and demanded that Bersih provides "hundreds of buses" for the travel to KL.

Bersih’s yellow T-shirts sold like hot cakes, with the whole lot disappearing in 15 minutes.

During the question-and-answer session, the crowd wanted a Bersih rally held in Penang as well, like it was to be done in 77 other cities worldwide, where local Malaysians are organising their own events.

Another attendee was curious as why the one this weekend Bersih protest is to be stretched over 34 hours, unlike previous rallies which only went on for a few hours.

Bersih northern region coordinator Toh Kin Woon ( photo ) said there would be only one rally at Dataran Merdeka as the organisers plan for it to be “really huge”.

He said the rally was to be held overnight to show the prime minister that the people were serious in demanding that he steps down over the series of financial scandals under his administration, including the RM2.6 billion 'donation' in his private bank accounts.

On providing hundreds of buses, Toh encouraged supporters to use their own transport, while Loh said it would not be fair to demand organisers to prepare transport for everyone.

Toh said the various activities planned for the day and night would make the event a “Democracy Festival”.

He added that leaders of political parties would be allowed to speak, and there will be entertainment and performances as Bersih is a platform for those who wish to express their views in a peaceful manner.

“Those of you who want to stay overnight, get your paraphernalia prepared, and stay on the streets, where you will see more stars than if you stay in any hotel in the world,” Toh said to loud cheers from the crowd.

Although the Kuala Lumpur City Hall does not allow the rally to be held at Dataran Merdeka, participants plan to march from five different points and gather as close as they can to the field.

Related Reports

We won't use tasers for Bersih 4 rally: police

Sultan: Don't fool rakyat by whitewashing country's woes

Johor Sultan: Stem economic woes now

The old man's plot

Umno rep: TMJ's warning must apply to Johor tycoons

PKR Youth's Skuad to be deployed for Bersih 4 rally

Bar Council calls for EGM over Najib's RM2.6bil

Rafidah: Are Umno's strings being pulled for RM2.6b?

'Pegging ringgit will invite speculative attack'

Swiss aim for new law to return stashed funds

Swiss 1MDB probe focuses on two executives

PAS reiterates it’s out of Bersih 4

Gov’t to establish special economic committee

Muhyiddin to be sacked as Umno No 2?

In bid to stay in power, PM ‘bastardises’ M’sia

Ringgit will keep falling if key issues not addressed

What happened to the '40 thieves'?

Backing down helps increase Penang’s stature