All of Umno's three million members as well as members of Barisan Nasional component parties should join the Bersih rally as an expression of patriotism.

"They should take part in it as an expression of patriotism and commitment to freedom, justice and national unity.

"And most important of all, it is to join all Malaysians to 'save Malaysia' from our multiple political, economic, good governance and nation-building crises," DAP leader Lim Kit Siang said at a Bersih ceramah held in Klang last night.

His call, the MP for Gelang Patah said, was being made in the spirit of putting aside political differences to celebrate independence day.

This follows the call by Communication and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak to Malaysians to set aside their political differences and celebrate Merdeka.

Salleh, in a blog posting yesterday, said the current impression was that there would be two Merdeka celebrations; one for those who support the government and another for the opposition.

As a response to this, Lim said that Salleh could not be more wrong.

"The Bersih 4 rally is in fact the highest expression of loyalty, nationalism and patriotism by Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region, gender, age or politics, reaffirming the united national resolve to ensure freedom, justice and national unity in the country.

Prevent Malaysia from becoming a failed state

‘Bersih 4, with its objective 'save Malaysia' to prevent it from becoming a rogue and a failed state, is an integral and important part of Merdeka celebrations," said Lim.

The DAP parliamentary leader added that the national theme for this year’s Merdeka celebration, ‘Sehati, Sejiwa’ (One heart, One soul) should be an inclusive one embracing Bersih 4's theme to "save Malaysia".

Lim also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to respond to his invitation to make a joint appearance at the rally.

"Najib’s appearance at Bersih 4 will be a momentous message to the nation that the government and the opposition can put aside their political differences and stand on the same common platform to 'save Malaysia'. This could well be a new turning point for Malaysia to avoid the horrors of a rogue and failed state.

"My invitation to Najib to make a joint appearance at the rally remains open and I urge him to rethink his initial rejection of the invitation, when he said that he would rather discuss the RM2.6 billion 'donation' controversy privately with Umno members instead of issuing public statements – which unfortunately, he has yet to do," said Lim.

Stressing that Najib should fully explain why he had received the funding, Lim said Najib could explain the matter if he comes to the rally to have a public dialogue on the state of democracy and the future of Malaysia.

Bersih's mega-rally will be held on Aug 29-30 in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

The rally is to demand five things: 1. Clean elections; 2. Clean governance; 3. Save the economy; 4. Preserving the right to dissent; and 5. Strengthening of parliamentary democracy.