The Bersih 5 convoy kick-off in Kota Baru was a festive affair attended by over 300 people clad in the electoral reform group's yellow.

They gathered at Padang Bank at around 8.30am joined by ten trishaws decorated in yellow motifs.

At about 9am Bersih chairperson Marina Chin Abdullah arrived, followed by PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The duo joined by other activists and PKR leaders then led the Bersih supporters to the nearby Pasar Siti Khadijah, where they distributed leaflets about electoral reforms to the public.

Amanah's Salor assemblyperson Husam Musa then arrived to deliver a speech before the symbolic lighting of the convoy torch.

In her speech afterwards, Maria appealed to the public to support Bersih's demands for free and fair elections, particularly with the controversial redelineaton exercise proposed by the Election Commission.

Met after his speech, Husam said that the Malays must support Bersih 5 even without PAS support this time around. He said the need to bring change to the country and its national leadership crosses partisan lines.

"We cannot stop from working to change Malaysia because of PAS' (absence). Whether or not PAS is with us (in the Bersih 5 rally), the Malays must join.

"Malaysia really needs change. If PAS is with us, thank God, if they are not, the Malays should still come down to support," he said.

The group will tour around Malaysia to drum up support for the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally, themed "Satu tenaga, Malaysia baru".

Amongst others, the gathering is for Malaysians to unite and show their stand against corruption and the failure of Malaysia's institutions.

Apart from Kota Baru, the convoy was also simultaneously launched in Lumut, Perak by activist Hishamuddin Rais, in Kangar, Perlis by national laureate A Samad Said and in Johor by ex-Bersih chief S Ambiga.