Rights groups accuse government of contempt for basic freedoms as officers fire upon crowd of tens of thousands.
Malaysian police have arrested more than 100 protesters involved in one of the largest political protests in the country's history.
Riot police in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, fired water cannon and several dozen teargas rounds after protesters demanding electoral reform tried to break through barriers at Merdeka Square, in defiance of a court order.
A police spokesman estimated there were about 25,000 demonstrators at the protest, although some Malaysian news organisations put the numbers as high as 100,000.
"Look at how many of us there are today – this just proves how sick we are of the corruption of this government," said demonstrator Charles Chan, 33.
"The lies and cover-ups have gone on too long. Even if the next government isn't perfect, it will at least be a change – as long as Najib allows Malaysia a clean election."
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who many hope will win the upcoming election, rallied the enthusiastic crowds as one of Bersih's leaders, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said: "We all want change today."
Baton-wielding police detained dozens of people, with Malaysian media reports saying as many as 100 were arrested.
Video footage by independent news website Malaysiakini showed angry demonstrators overturning a police car that had allegedly hit two people. Several people elsewhere were seen to have fainted, although no serious injuries were immediately reported.
Some commentators believe the violence could force the prime minister, Najib Razak, to delay elections that must be held by next March but which could be called as early as June.
Najib, whose ruling coalition has held power for nearly 55 years, saw his approval rating fall sharply after the last major electoral reform rally by the Bersih ("Clean") movement in July 2011 when police were accused of a heavy-handed response.
The violence on Saturday occurred shortly after a Bersih leader declared the protest a success and asked people to go home. "They [the police] asked the crowd to disperse but did not give enough warning," said Aminah Bakri, 27, with tears streaming down her face from the teargas. "They do not care."
Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, condemned the police crackdown. He said: "By launching a crackdown on peaceful … protesters on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian government is once again showing its contempt for its people's basic rights and freedoms."
Bersih, an independent movement whose goals are backed by the opposition, has a history of staging influential rallies.
Malaysians have demanded more freedoms and democratic rights in the former British colony, which has an authoritarian streak. But despite the huge demonstration , there was no indication that Najib's National Front coalition would agree to meet their demands.
"If [elections] are not clean, not fair, show the evidence," Najib was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama, on Saturday. "We do not want to be elected through cheating. We are a government chosen by the people. The majority of the people chose us because they know [we] are better [than the opposition]."
Najib has replaced tough security laws – ending indefinite detention without trial – relaxed some media controls, and pushed reforms to the electoral system, which critics have long complained is rigged in the government's favour.
A bipartisan parliamentary committee set up by Najib this month issued 22 proposals for electoral reform, including steps to clean up electoral rolls and equal access to media.
But Bersih has complained it is unclear if the steps will be in place for the next election. The government says it has already met, or is addressing, seven of Bersih's eight main proposals for the election, which will introduce the use of indelible ink to cut down on fraud.
Bersih says the proposals do not meet most of its key demands, including lengthening the campaign period to at least 21 days from the current seven days and allowing international observers at polling stations.
The National Front, which has governed Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957, suffered its worst performance in 2008 elections, when it lost more than a third of parliament's seats amid public complaints about corruption and racial discrimination.
Source
Malaysia tag mods?
Even though Najib promised reforms, he didn't say anything about the rushed bills amendments passed in parliament where by security will be lax during voting.
Also both sides are to be blamed for the violence that erupted imo.
Malaysian police have arrested more than 100 protesters involved in one of the largest political protests in the country's history.
Riot police in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, fired water cannon and several dozen teargas rounds after protesters demanding electoral reform tried to break through barriers at Merdeka Square, in defiance of a court order.
A police spokesman estimated there were about 25,000 demonstrators at the protest, although some Malaysian news organisations put the numbers as high as 100,000.
"Look at how many of us there are today – this just proves how sick we are of the corruption of this government," said demonstrator Charles Chan, 33.
"The lies and cover-ups have gone on too long. Even if the next government isn't perfect, it will at least be a change – as long as Najib allows Malaysia a clean election."
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who many hope will win the upcoming election, rallied the enthusiastic crowds as one of Bersih's leaders, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said: "We all want change today."
Baton-wielding police detained dozens of people, with Malaysian media reports saying as many as 100 were arrested.
Video footage by independent news website Malaysiakini showed angry demonstrators overturning a police car that had allegedly hit two people. Several people elsewhere were seen to have fainted, although no serious injuries were immediately reported.
Some commentators believe the violence could force the prime minister, Najib Razak, to delay elections that must be held by next March but which could be called as early as June.
Najib, whose ruling coalition has held power for nearly 55 years, saw his approval rating fall sharply after the last major electoral reform rally by the Bersih ("Clean") movement in July 2011 when police were accused of a heavy-handed response.
The violence on Saturday occurred shortly after a Bersih leader declared the protest a success and asked people to go home. "They [the police] asked the crowd to disperse but did not give enough warning," said Aminah Bakri, 27, with tears streaming down her face from the teargas. "They do not care."
Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, condemned the police crackdown. He said: "By launching a crackdown on peaceful … protesters on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian government is once again showing its contempt for its people's basic rights and freedoms."
Bersih, an independent movement whose goals are backed by the opposition, has a history of staging influential rallies.
Malaysians have demanded more freedoms and democratic rights in the former British colony, which has an authoritarian streak. But despite the huge demonstration , there was no indication that Najib's National Front coalition would agree to meet their demands.
"If [elections] are not clean, not fair, show the evidence," Najib was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama, on Saturday. "We do not want to be elected through cheating. We are a government chosen by the people. The majority of the people chose us because they know [we] are better [than the opposition]."
Najib has replaced tough security laws – ending indefinite detention without trial – relaxed some media controls, and pushed reforms to the electoral system, which critics have long complained is rigged in the government's favour.
A bipartisan parliamentary committee set up by Najib this month issued 22 proposals for electoral reform, including steps to clean up electoral rolls and equal access to media.
But Bersih has complained it is unclear if the steps will be in place for the next election. The government says it has already met, or is addressing, seven of Bersih's eight main proposals for the election, which will introduce the use of indelible ink to cut down on fraud.
Bersih says the proposals do not meet most of its key demands, including lengthening the campaign period to at least 21 days from the current seven days and allowing international observers at polling stations.
The National Front, which has governed Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957, suffered its worst performance in 2008 elections, when it lost more than a third of parliament's seats amid public complaints about corruption and racial discrimination.
Source
Malaysia tag mods?
Even though Najib promised reforms, he didn't say anything about the rushed bills amendments passed in parliament where by security will be lax during voting.
Also both sides are to be blamed for the violence that erupted imo.
Last year's protest has a similar number of protesters trying to march towards Stadium Merdaka as their goal, but (un)surprisingly, police force shows more brute force in taking them down. Tear gas and water cannons again? Why, thank you so much /sarcasm
To be honest, if I do reach the age of voting, I don't think I'll vote for any major or minor parties. Though I am thinking about possibly choosing DAP (when I think of it, ain't gonna happen).
We got Barisan Nasional (Big Daddy) who have been the political party that made a lot of people leave Malaysia (brain drain even till today). We got Pakatan Rakyat (a coalition party that consists of PKR, DAP and PAS) that if elected, we got Anwar Ibrahim that, while a slightly better alternative, the older generation reminds us that he still has some very conservative views. And the rest of the minor parties that side with these major parties... meh.
If I think of it in this sense, we want/need change, but we're also doubtful of the change on whether if it's good or bad.
My sister and her boyfriend kept telling me that it's best that I go back once I graduate/fail in my University application for finding work, but I don't have this sense of belonging there. I love my homeland, but I want to travel elsewhere and learn languages.
We have a home in where we are born, but the real home we seek is wherever we go.
*feels like going to regret posting this*
Edited at 2012-04-28 11:28 pm (UTC)
The rally happened all over the world and in different states. They were all peaceful except for KL whereby the police prevented the people with roadblocks etc. Its a shame seeing people tweeting saying that the rally is anti government.
I got ticked off seeing ignorant tweets. Someone saying the situation was like the holocaust, I just went um wtf, didn't call out on that person. When I called out on someone using the #bersih saying that whoever supports it don't really have a sane brain (am quoting her) saying she doesn't understand what the rally is truly for. She just fired back with merosakkan malaysia lah woi. and its clearly against the law. so mind ur own business. i dont like tweeting to ppl i dont know. To which I replied saying that using that hashtag, people will read what you tweeted. She brushed me off with nyeh who cares. look, live in peace. bye.
I really cannot deal with people who can't think rationally.
Another one didn't even know that there was rallies all over the world for bersih and when I linked her images. She was all its embarrassing seeing our people rallying in other countries. If Malaysian all over the world is rallying for this, that means they truly want a change in the elections.
Like someone said in the article, BN may win again, which I will probably moan about, but at least they will then have the credibility as it was a fair election!
I've read reports saying that the tear gas happened because some protestors decided to break the barrier. Bersih already said not to provoke the police but some are still doing it. Ugh people this was suppose to be a peaceful protest.
Tbh I don't want to vote for the main parties because PKR, PAS and BN are really shitty. So far the only promising one is DAP since correct me if I'm wrong, Lim Guan Eng is under DAP and Penang is flourishing under his leadership(?)
The government will be downplaying this rally again saying only few people turned up. They can lie but videos and pictures can't. Also I'm glad that international media is covering this. They may tarnished Malaysia's image but if a fair and clean elections is the cause of it, I'm satisfied.
I'm not sure if you know that the parliament pushed through some amendments in a rush last week or two.
These amendments had media blackout and is even worse for voting time.
Bit confused over graduate/fail in University application for finding work? As in finding work after graduating university?
My dad is still hopeful of me going back but lol I've been telling him constantly that I won't. However with UK being more strict with immigration, I may have to think of a back up plan.
I'm sorry you had to read all my waffling.
Edited at 2012-04-29 12:04 am (UTC)
Well, things happen. Reasons may vary as to why they say such things. They can be ignorant, or they are afraid that something worse may come. If you want to win argument, you have to improve your argument, not get louder.
Trust me, I've seen those moments before and tend to question if I'm too young to argue.
It's going to happen, no surprise there. Our democracy is still relatively young and it'll have to take some more violent turbulences before we can reach a part of the value of democracy.
I heard that my driving instructor wants to vote DAP too since he knows how corrupt our current government is for the last 50+ years. (He is also the only adult that I know who tells and encourages me to go live and work overseas since he knows that the younger generation will have lesser chances of succeeding in Malaysia)
The amendments only work for them and their cronies, not the citizens who have to work their asses off in order to let them do whatever they want. If Mahathir lives through 2020, we'll go and laugh at his face. Vision 2020 is only a vision, not harsh, cold reality. 8 years to go!
Oh, that. My mom gave me a failsafe condition. If I pass and get an application to the Universities I want to go, I can stay in UK for the next 3-4 years (1 year in Japan if I get to the ones that offer International Relations with Japanese studies). If I fail, I go back and work with her (DNW). No second chances (none heard so far). Pretty effective to make me study my ass off, eh?
I'm thinking of other than taking Japanese, I want to take other European languages as my course. German is the best one since it's almost similar to English. Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish is also good. If I'm crazy enough, Russian.
It's okay, at least it makes my Sunday less boring.
Fine example is this video
I must say that the government is doing a fine job in brain draining the country. Singapore has been snapping all the bright students. It didn't help matters that they're bias when admitting students into public universities.
Yeah which was why the rally had to happen. Vision 2020 will never happen.
Good luck with your university applications! Did wanted to continue my japanese but they didn't really have the standard I was looking for in my area.
They've been suffering it since before, during and after Tun Razak's era. He leaves no impression of being an important person other than not stopping the brain drain at all (in fact, he calls it a trouble drain). I wanted to live in Singapore originally, but everything there seems expensive and very competitive. But they have stuffs that we don't have
like Takashimaya and Japanese bands going over there when they remember Singapore is thereorzLOL as long as Mahathir is still alive, I wouldn't be surprised that he still has some strings in Parliament. As for Najib, he doesn't have real power, the bureaucracy does.
4 months to go... Being a law student sucks, but it's the only foundation that gives me my favourite subject: Politics.
I'm from Sabah. What about you?These days my news source is either from BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera or Guardian.
Singapore does have its fair share of troubles as well. Their freedom of speech is nil and I've heard that they charge for everything ):
Ugh I know, Singapore has the Japanese bakery which I love ;;;;
Malaysia's KLCC has it too but they don't bake the stuff Singapore has.
I'm still surprised he hasn't kicked the bucket yet. He actually ruled for so long =____=
Yeah he definitely still has strings. I'm always seeing articles on his views. Seriously you're not ruling anymore.
What are your thoughts on public education? With the teaching of Science and Maths reverting back to Malay?
Ah you're studying law. Well good luck again with the universities.
Some of my uni mates say I'm doing the wrong course since I'm quite into world issues and politics or the finance section. I just went nah I just like to be well informed :)
I'm from KL though not staying there now.
Clean streets and such comes with a very large price, they say. And quite so.
Singapore's HMV sells Japanese CD/DVDs and Magazines which I want so badly. It can save me a ton from buying online in CDJapan or Amazon.jp ;3;
Are we going to be surprised if Queen Elizabeth can live till possibly 100? Yeah, with technology these days, we can make people LIVE longer.
How about take honest opinions on the students and parents themselves? After all, we are the ones who have to face the consequences of reverting two of the most important subjects back to Malay. My English is good, but my Malay is reverted back to basic levels.
At least I was lucky that I managed to do my SPM on the last year which both subjects are still in English.
Technically, I switched my Law module for sociology. So I am the only student who is not in Law, but neither in Humanities. I'm a Politics student now. XD
Same here, I like to be well-informed. It makes me understand as to why such and such happened before we play the blame game.
Haha Queen Elizabeth is immortal x3
I'm not sure if the government took into account the students/parents views when they decided to change back to Malay.
I think most parents will either send their children overseas or study in private schools with the way things are going.
Hoping the police will conduct an investigation on who caused the problems during the rally instead of just pointing fingers
I still have not found a shop that sells Japanese CDs and Magazines in London...
When you know her mum lived till the age of 101, you'll know that might be how long Queen Elizabeth can live. Maybe even longer xD
Aren't most parents who can afford it are already sending them overseas? Hell, even the cronies are doing it!
Malaysia has World Class Education? Oh, so our history books are not propaganda, giving bias towards Malays, Indians just play part of the role, aborigines are not true Bumiputras and Chinese people are forever commies! /sarcasm
It was our Sejarah books that prompt me into reading more books and giving less attention towards textbooks. It's sad, but hey, that's how I learned we'll never even reach Second World Country in our title.
Knowing that... can you trust even our own police force from time to time?
Edited at 2012-04-29 04:10 pm (UTC)
Even Najib's relatives are doing it >_>
Aye, there's not much demand for Japanese stuff here. At least back in Malaysia their food is easy to find albeit some are lousy quality >_>
I heard the government is deleting Hang Tuah or was it Hang Jebat role as they found out he had chinese roots? Not sure since I don't have the latest textbooks.
LOL our textbooks are a laugh. Instead of revising from the textbooks, most of my classmates were reading reference books instead x3
Yeah they'll definitely be saying the oppositions did it as usual.
Some people say Malaysia is beautiful, it is but not its policies =___=
In Malaysia, even in Sabah, I'm surprised at the number of Japanese restaurants opening up. But I still favour Nishiki there.
Wow, that's like almost deleting about a millennium of history connecting between China and Malaysia. It's not so surprising considering that sea trade always leave a variety of people settling down and marry with the locals.
The only textbooks that are not so tainted is Maths and Science. But it's in English?! Blasphemy!
Expecting it before it can even reach the news -_-
What is beauty when beauty is just a smokescreen in Malaysia?
KL has a number of Japanese restaurants but sushi king, sushi zenmai and others aren't what I'm looking for D:
Haha Malaysia can delete its history but China should still have some documents in their archive, hopefully.
I feel like posting more msian articles in this comm. So many articles in malaysiakini.
Ever been to Sushi Tei? It's an international brand but certainly better than Wagamama >w>;
As if it's deletable.
I wonder what the hell is wrong with BN politicians who act batshit insane and get all the attention.
You should. I have not been following any news about Malaysia. It needs more attention. :/
They're lousy in UK =___=
Okay I shall endeavour to post about Malaysia news here, hopefully X_X
There are several Wagamama restaurants in here. They're slightly better in Malaysia, but no longer as popular as in the past. A few years ago, for some unknown reason, it had to change its name to Wojamama due to copyright reasons.
By hopefully, you mean you hope it'll get accepted by the mods? :3
Haven't really found a good individual japanese restaurant yet in KL D:
No, if I'm not lazy or bogged down by revision. x3
It was nice talking to you. Haha we went slightly OT.
I have few reasons to go to KL though, since I don't like going there other than to do my visa.
Ah, don't worry. You can do it when you find the news too hard to ignore :3
It was nice talking to you too. How did we end talking about Japanese food? XD
WHA- No, wait, somehow I'm not surprised about this.
Our textbooks are sad but at least they are free at the moment (I remembered the days when, unless you're part of the Skim Pinjaman Buku Teks, you have to buy those backbreaking books and how most of them were not used by the teachers, but we still have to bring them everyday just in case. /CSB )
Albeit it is hard to find legitimate articles in regards to Malaysia history.
I just left my textbooks under the desk when in school. SPBT was implemented probably 2 years before I graduate from school. Can't really remember.
Oh god, them. I'm sorry you had to deal with them. Some of the people on my FB list were making comments on how stupid it was for the people in BERSIH to do this and one dude was going on and on about why the hell rally had to happen because people was getting hurt and why can't we just talk about it diplomatically? Then he goes and says he won't be voting cause voting wasn't going to work. *facepalm*
Yeah I've read loads of tweets saying the rally shouldn't even happen. Had so much rage reading them. I guess they are happy with the current government.
Ugh this is why there will never be change with a number of people abstaining from voting.
Yes, this. But considering how prevalent 'criticism = personal attack' mentality is among most people (especially the pro-BN party) it might be a long time before any parties are going to sit down and talk peacefully (hopefully without keris(es?) being waved around).
But actually, I think that quite a lot of Singaporeans also personally feel really proud of our brothers and sisters across the Causeway for standing up for what they believe in. =)