COMMENT Bersih was formed on Nov 23, 2006, to fight for free and fair elections for this country. Since then, it has evolved to fight for the strengthening of democracy, which includes free and fair elections and institutional reforms.

Together with millions of Malaysians, I have come to awareness of the manipulation of our elections and the failure of public institutions to protect our rights as citizens.

This awareness came about not just through the mega rallies Bersih has organised but through the constant exposure of the wrongdoings of the Election Commission in handling elections, problems in the electoral roll and the manipulation of our electoral boundaries.

Bersih has put on the agenda proposals for reforming our election laws, for more transparent and equitable political financing laws, for elections to be monitored, to equip citizens to object to unfair delineation, campaigned for greater participation in elections through voter registration exercises and for citizens to come out to vote on polling day.

Millions of citizens are activated to participate in our election process and empowered to engage in civic activities throughout the country on a daily basis. I count myself as one of these citizens.

If not for Bersih and the work it has done, I would still be unaware and unconcerned of the desperate state our country is in. Now, I want to be counted as one of the citizens who tried to do something about it, to do my part to save our country from ruination.

As we celebrate the fact that Bersih is 10 years old, we are starkly reminded that our struggle is far from over. The chairperson of Bersih, Maria Chin Abdullah, is languishing in solitary confinement, deprived of sleep, held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or Sosma, and treated like a terrorist.

Her only crime is that she has been a terror to the regime that wants to hold on to power through manipulation, intimidation and corruption. Maria is not a terrorist, she is a patriot and fights for all of us who dream of a Malaysia that is free and clean.

On Bersih's 10th birthday, we owe it to Maria and to ourselves to demand her immediate release and to urge the abolishment of Sosma. Any law that allows detention without trial is open to and is constantly abused by those in power. Maria is just the latest victim of such abuses.

The powers that be thought they could disable Bersih by locking up its leader, but they are wrong. Bersih is a people-movement, it belongs to all of us.

We will continue to rise up against tyranny, abuse of power and corruption. We, the people, will not rest until Maria is free and Malaysia is free!

THOMAS FANN is a citizen of Malaysia.