Keep spirit of Bersih 4 alive and burning
YOURSAY ‘The rally drew the crowds but it has not changed anything, yet.’
500,000 were at Bersih 4, says organiser
Apa Nama: Bersih secretariat head Maria Chin Abdullah, the figure is not important anymore. It is debatable. So focus on getting MPs to push for a no-confidence motion against PM Najib Abdul Razak.
Make no mistake, you have only two 'weapons' at your disposal to remove Najib. One is through a no-confidence motion in Parliament, and another through Umno. The first is doable while the second one is more difficult but not impossible.
Najib was most happy that Bersih 4 ended its rallies prematurely in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching on the weekend. His fixed deposits of voters are in Borneo.
Let just say, there were five million rally goers in the peninsula, but he wouldn’t care less because his fixed deposit is not here but in Borneo.
Maria, you will have to find ways to 'kill' these fixed deposits. Otherwise all your attempts here will be futile. Priority is Borneo and not the peninsula.
Res Ipsa: The focus needs to shift to the states of Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. Johor has already been shaken up whereas there is uncertainty in Sabah, what with Mohd Shafie Apdal enjoying substantial grassroots support to have been elected a vice-president of Umno.
Sarawak state elections are just around the corner and the momentum created must be carried into the state polls with full passion.
JD Lovrenciear: 500,000? Yes, it does add up. Keen observers would have noticed throughout the 34 hours that:
1) People came from all directions;
2) Many stayed on;
3) While some spent a few hours and left, people still kept streaming in right up to the eleventh hour.
Hank Marvin: It depends on how one looks at it. Going by those attending, it should be beyond 500,000.
Kuala Lumpur alone has over one million people and those who came included those residing in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, etc. So it is sensible to put the figure at one million.
And don't forget many could not make it but still support Bersih’s demands. It is no exaggeration to say that every single person at Bersih actually represents four to five people who share the same views.
Anonymous: Maria, I’m very proud of you and your bravery. Seeing the sea of yellow gave me so much of encouragement that there is still hope.
I do not care if it was 100,000 or 500,000 but ‘syabas’ to all those who turned up.
Gaji Buta: Well done, Maria. You achieved 1Malaysia in the briefest of time (which Umno looks like it’s trying hard to dismantle again) and showed that we have classy, disciplined people with integrity who can run the country effectively and efficiently if given a chance.
Voice: This is the mother of all rallies. Anyway, will Najib and the so-called "kami dengar" government listen to all of us? No. He even said that those not at the rally are supporting him. How arrogant.
Tok Karut: No bouquets for police and traffic police? Police took a low-key approach and it was simply reassuring that police can be civil, as they should. The FRU (riot police) was in check too. I bet the RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force) pilots were content watching the crowd as they flew by.
Thanks to Team Bersih for its daily liaisons with the police. I think this was handled quite brilliantly. What was especially wonderful to witness were the scores of young leaders in the team as well as among the protesters.
Magnus: Hats off and well done to the Bersih 4 organisers, team and participants who acted in an exemplary manner during the peaceful protest.
Bersih 4 was a historic occasion for Malaysia due to it being a truly peaceful protest with no incidents of violence from either side.
Wtf4: You guys are amazing. Absolutely amazing and for those commenting on the ethnicity of participants, it will be good for them to reflect that those who attended were Malaysians who were both brave and caring.
As for former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's presence and statements, anyone with an ounce of maturity would understand that it took a brave man to do what he did. Good on him.
Restless: Indeed, it must have been the most patriotic rally ever. The enormous turnout and cooperation given by rally-goers means one message is very clear - we love our country.
Therefore we want a clean and sincere leader to lead the government and turn the nation into a progressive one. One where we all enjoy the fruits of our labour, regardless of our colour, creed or religion.
Najib, please do the rightful thing and step down to prevent further damage to our beautiful Malaysia.
TheAnonymous: I'm all for Bersih. Don't get me wrong but after all the 'hoo hah', what's next? What if the PM won't budge?
Bangsat: True what people say, that nothing has changed. But at least Malaysians will no longer be seen as sheep, indifferent to government excess.
Magnus PS: If the Bersih organisers get arrested, then every participant in the protest turnout should also get arrested. They should all turn themselves in and request to be arrested along with the Bersih team. Hence, Bersih 4 may not be over yet.
Citizen No.26: Excellent job by Maria and her team of volunteers in organising the humongous rally over two days.
Thanks for giving the silent Malaysians the opportunity to come together to demonstrate their grievances and to stand up for clean elections and governance. God bless Malaysia.
Onlooker: When we were on the train and LRT on Sunday afternoon we had the company of many yellow T-shirted Malaysians representing various communities. Clearly, people were coming and going.
We also saw many walking along the outer roads in Brickfields and Jalan Bangsar and a few at KLCC.
Sleepy: I don't know the number but there is Bersih spirit everywhere.
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