Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Bersih 5 rally is the last avenue for the rakyat to express their discontent on the state of the country.

"Not only is it (Bersih 5 rally) not illegal, it has become important because other avenues have been blocked by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak," Mahathir said in a two-part video circulated on social media.

He also explained that the rally was not illegal because demonstrations are often held to remove leaders in many other countries that practice the system of democracy.