By Jacelyn Johnson, Edited by Jim Luce
The Bersih 2.0 Rally – also called the Walk for Democracy – was a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held on July 9, 2011 as a follow-up to the 2007 Bersih rally. The rally, organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (“Bersih”), was supported by the coalition of the three largest opposition parties in Malaysia, but was deemed illegal by the government. Bersih forces were pushing to ensure free and fair elections. The police vowed to stop any rallies from taking place on the planned date on the grounds that all public gatherings without police permits are illegal. They rallied anyway. The government officially estimates that 6,000 people attended. Independent assessments put the rally numbers at between 10,000 to over 20,000, while Bersih 2.0 claims a turnout of 50,000. Police arrested more than 1,660 protestors. – Wikipedia
I started the day of July 9 wondering what Bersih 2.0 would actually achieve. I supported the cause because I really wanted democracy to prevail. As a taxpayer and a voter, I wanted to have my say and I wanted my vote to be rightfully counted. People around me questioned the point of the rally, they mocked Bersih organizers, mocked Bersih supporters, mocked the government, mocked PDRM, mocked UMNO, and of course there were some well-deserved mocking for Ibrahim Ali, president of PERKASA (a Malay rights movement), but they were all comfortable within the confines of their own home. Many even cursed “those Bersih people” for the unnecessary roadblocks and shutting down the entire city.
I had questions myself, as half way through I decided there was no point in all this. My first thought was - by participating in this rally, would it be supporting the cause it stands for, or would it just bring benefit to one person. I love Ambiga (chief of the Bersih rally) and always had a distinct respect for her, but she’s mere mortal. I don’t know her true intentions, as somehow supporting the rally would mean supporting her, which in turn would bring her fame, and when attention got to her head, she would just be another one of those politicians with a beautifully painted CV, as we all know the cleanup of the electoral reform was not going to happen by the mere walking. But I truly supported the cause she was fighting for, and I for one, wanted Democracy.
Further, I just didn’t understand why the government was against a call for clean and fair elections, as, I would think even if I wanted to play dirty, I would accept the call for anything clean and fair to maintain democracy. But apparently, the Malaysian government never understood that concept.
So I woke up on Saturday morning anyway, lied to my family that I was going to be at a friend’s place. I drove to the nearest train station and parked at the Teluk Pulai train station. I was met with two cops manning the station. I asked one of them “Bang, ada train ke sekarang?” (Bro, are there trains now) to which he joked “sekarang tak ada la, tapi you tunggu sekejap, train akan datang.” (not now, but if you wait a while it will come). I attempted a flirtatious laugh (just to feed his ego) and waited for the train.
I arrived at KL Sentral train station at about 11.15am and met Shamini, my fellow comrade in this walk for peace. By this time we’ve heard news of massive attacks and arrests around KL and even at Sentral. We didn’t know where to go, so we decided to walk to KL through Brickfields. There were too many cops around Sentral. Sham had her yellow bangle hidden in her bag, and I had my huge yellow earrings stuffed in my jeans pocket. It was easy for us to walk past the cops without being suspected because we were just two harmless, giggly girls. We managed to steer pass the cops at Sentral and hit the highway towards the City.
Half way through, we were stopped by this huge Punjabi man, not in uniform, but said he was a cop, and he asked us where we were going. Thankfully we’ve planned our lies ahead, and we said we were going shopping at Petaling Street. He asked us why we were walking, and we said we thought the roads were closed and there were no cabs or buses. Apparently we were wrong, and he said only buses and cabs were allowed to the city. He then pointed us to a group of about 15 people being detained by cops across the road, as groups of more than two people are considered “dangerous.”
He then told us about the rally (because we acted dumb and naive), and he suggested we take the bus. We obediently said “thank you uncle” and turned back. Shortly after, a bus arrived and we boarded it to Pasar Seni, but the bus stopped us at KL train station saying that was as far as it could go. We were excited when we saw a huge crowd at the KL Station. We walked towards the crowd, and were stopped by three guys sitting in a Hummer. They tried to intimidate us with their rough voice asking “Pergi mana?” Again we said Petaling Street and had some small talk. We never knew who they were.
We walked towards the crowd at the KL Station, there were cops all around, but they did not do anything. We saw many waiting, walking, laughing. Then a police truck with a load of people arrested drove past, and everyone screamed “Bersih! Bersih!” together with the detainees in the truck. That was my first feel good shout out!
Then we walked along towards Petaling Street. Cops were loitering around just standing, and we were trying to find the crowd or the way to the Stadium. We walked up and down the empty streets. The shops were closed, the roads were closed, and in fact even the 7-eleven was closed! The roads were empty, most parts barricaded, and a troop of cops were waiting with four police trucks parked by the side and water canon lorries stood proudly.
We continued walking around aimlessly, then we spotted some friends from the Bar Council, and tried trailing them thinking they should know where to go, but they just stood at their respective stations. They were told not to mingle so as to portray impartiality. We met a Reuters photographer, made friends and followed him as he was heading to the Stadium. Suddenly we heard loud chanting, and we ran towards the noise, and spotted this huge crowd.
We joined the crowd and together we chanted “Bersih! Bersih! Pilihanraya!” (Clean! Clean! Elections) By this time, we both have put on our yellow accessories, and surprisingly, save one or two, no one was in yellow, but people were carrying yellow flowers, Bersih handkerchiefs, yellow scarfs, Bersih stickers on their face and passing yellow balloons in the air. Everyone was calm yet in high spirits. I met so many friends along the way, and made many more. One uncle beside us was carrying a clean white glass chanting “Bersih! Bersih!”
People just naturally took charge, when they saw a block ahead, they stopped the crowd from moving forward, and everyone turned and continued walking around. There were clapping and laughing and cries for democracy. It was my first protest rally experience, and I had a smile plastered on my face throughout, because I was so proud of all those who were there. Like Sham and I, the throngs of thousand gathered there must have come into the city through some very inconvenient way - yet they were all there and the fact that we’re all in this together gave me hope that something can come out of this. It was an amazing feeling!
We walked down to Dataran Maybank to find another huge crowd already gathered there, and another group walked toward us from another direction - there were so many people, on the roads, at the car parks, on the building, the roads that were empty barely an hour earlier was suddenly filled with people. It was peaceful, calm, you could even say that the atmosphere had a happy vibe to it, and then it started - the tear gas. Suddenly there were popping sounds and the air was filled with smoky gas. Everyone ran for their lives. People just ran into whichever available streets they could find.
After a while, we felt the sting - my face started burning, and my eyes started tearing, I just couldn’t open my eyes because of the sting. People shared salt and water. Two guys splashed water on our faces and gave us salt to rub on our faces and to eat, as our throats felt uneasy as well. Random people of all races and in all languages upon taking care of themselves, turned around offering help to the person next to them, and looking out for each other. I thought to myself, this is Malaysia - in reality, we are the kind who extend that helping hand, a thoughtful word, a kind cheer, and who together with you will face untoward situations. I was actually amazed that some took it upon themselves to protect others – and the only thing everyone had in common was our nationality – be it Malay, Indian or Chinese – at that time, I didn’t notice skin colors, as we were all one.
We walked to a nearby restaurant, Restaurant Aji, to get water. There I met some colleagues, and we just sat there for a bit and it started to pour. The cops were rampantly arresting people just down the road. Suddenly a group of 7 to 8 cops entered the shop and started questioning people seated at the restaurant randomly. Sham and I took out our story books from our bags and pretended to read. When the rain died down, we continued heading to Petaling Street again, and another crowd was already gathered there. We joined the march, again chanting and walking in high spirits, this time a little more aware of the tear gas that could suddenly be shot anytime, anywhere.
It was already 3.30pm by this time, and half way through the march, we passed Pasar Seni LRT, and I told Sham that I was done for the day and need to head home before my mom discovers my continued absence. So I walked to the LRT station and to my utter annoyance found the shutters closed. Frustrated commuters sitting in front of the shutters were grumbling away. We tried knocking on the shutters to ask the big group of cops hanging around inside the shutters area what time they will open, and they just said after the crowd disperses. This didn’t make much sense to me as I didn’t understand how they expected the crowd to disperse if there was no transport out available.
If that wasn’t bad enough, suddenly there were more teargas being shot just outside the LRT station, and all those within the station started feeling the effects. There were babies and children at the station, people who were not involved with the rally, stuck because the trains were not available, and they too were caught with the tear gas effect. We begged the police to at least let the children sit within the shutters area, but they wouldn’t listen. This further angered the crowd gathered there.
I met some colleagues at the LRT as well, stuck with no way out and we decided walk to KL Sentral. We went downstairs and were still within the confines of the LRT and they started shooting tear gas inside the station and again, it was a marathon - we ran for our lives, everyone again looking out for each other until we reached the police headquarters, where a few policemen popped their heads out of their windows, just watching the fun within the comfort of their offices, some were laughing at us, some taking pictures.
The enraged crowd jeered at them and dared them to come down and suffer the tear gas effects. The crowd literally jeered and spit at the cops, calling them names. I was completely angered by the act of the cops as well, as to me, we were just walking peacefully, no harm done, and the tear gas, water cannons, closing of LRT stations, etc. did not serve any purpose. It was completely uncalled for. It seemed like the police was just having a field day going against the people, without rhyme or reason. I was angered, just like everyone else there.
On the other hand, I looked at the cops as a person, and I felt sorry for them as they did not have the opportunity to stand for what they truly believe in. I’m sure half of the cops did not see the purpose of the massive arrest and torture, and if given the chance, they would have joined the walk – but they were just doing their job. It’s the top guns sitting comfortably in some big office, giving out the instructions are the ones we should be angry at, not the poor cops who were literally running around that day, as they too probably had to suffer the tear gas effects.
Someone made an announcement that thanked everyone for the support, and declared Bersih rally a success, and one thing I agreed with him was that - when people come together, there can be a change - the power in numbers can be amazing! He then asked the crowd to disperse. We walked to KL Sentral, and we saw two police cars stuck in jam that was caused by the road block - and again the crowd pointed at them and laughed. Again, those poor cops were laughed at for just carrying out their duties. Then just as we passed the Petrol Station, the police blocked the roads behind us... no one knew why, as everyone just wanted to go back, but now the way out of KL City was being blocked. More anger, even those who have passed the barricade felt angry.
I reached home a little after 6pm - tired but satisfied. It was by far the best weekend I’ve had, and it was indeed an awesome experience. Well, perhaps we didn’t gain much, but at least the Prime Minister said the next day that “we will consider a dialogue with Bersih on the electoral reform”. No doubt, the Prime Minister in all his glory should have thought of a dialogue way ahead, instead of wasting parts of my tax contributions on fuel for the helicopter which was going round and round for hours, the cost of tear gas, the loss faced by businesses all over KL, commuters having to close down for hours, businesses in surrounding cities faced equal losses due to road blocks – there was more that RM100 million estimated loss due to the measures taken to prevent the rally.
It could have been so much easier to have just approved the Stadium and those who wanted to participate would have just got there peacefully. Police should have given protection around the stadium area, businesses would have gone on as usual, everyone would have been happy. But then again, if it all went smooth and easy, Bersih rally would not have got the attention needed, and got the point across – that the power of people takes precedence in a democratic country. We may not have got the demands for clean and fair elections, we may not have turned out the ruling government, but the rally has proved that when Malaysians come together, we put aside our differences, we respect each other’s differences, we help each other through, we support each other, and all we need is a clean governance and some measure of fairness.
I’m proud to be a Malaysian today. I feel we will have a better Malaysia in the future as our generation is the kind who will not tolerate nonsense. Justice will prevail, and corruption will have to take a back seat. The power of the people is amazing, the power of the media is even more amazing – and when people and media come together, everyone will be heard, and there’s only so much that can be swept under carpets. It’s time to live Clean! Long Live Malaysia!
Jacelyn Johnson is a managing editor with an international legal publishing house in Kuala Lumpur and is currently pursuing a Masters in Law at the University of Malaya.