3:01PM Apr 17, 2012
Global Bersih, the international section of the electoral reform coalition, has stepped up efforts to mobilise the Malaysian diaspora for rallies on April 28, in tandem with the planned 3.0 sit-in at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.
With rallies already scheduled in 41 cities across 14 countries, Global Bersih today launched its official website, complete with detailed instructions on how Malaysians abroad can organise rallies in more cities.
The website also features the experiences of overseas Malaysians during the Bersih 2.0 global rallies last July and their views on the need for electoral reform.
The global rallies, along with gatherings across Malaysia, aim to gather some 500,000 people to demand the Election Commission’s (EC) resignation and for electoral reforms to be implemented before the next general election.
In a statement, Melbourne Global Bersih coordinator David Teoh urged Malaysians students to show up in force.
“Students should not be afraid to show their support for clean and fair elections, it will make a world of difference to their families back home,” he said.
Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today that growing support for Bersih from across the world “has touched all of us in Kuala Lumpur”.
“Although distance may separate us, we are one in upholding the cause of clean and fair elections,” she said.
The parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform recently released its report, but it was passed without debate in the Dewan Rakyat on April 3 after the speaker rejected an opposition attempt to add a minority report to this.
Ambiga said that, had the speaker allowed the PSC report and a minority report to be debated, “the issue of a deadline before the next general election would have been hammered out”.
‘Show your support in small ways’
Ambiga also said rallies have been planned in Penang, Perak, Malacca, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, in addition to the one in Kuala Lumpur.
“If you are unable to take part in the rally, then you can at least wear yellow during your tai chi sessions, have a sit-in at the nearest park or tie a pink ribbon on your car, motorcycle or house gate,” she said.
Ambiga said the coalition will flex its muscles Global Bersih to engage international election observers.
“The EC has said that they have no problems with international observers. We hope they will keep their word because Global Bersih will invite international observers,” she added.
EVERY THING must be BERSIH !