Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:52:29 GMT | By MSN Malaysia

The calm before the storm for BERSIH

All eyes are on the BERSIH 3.0 Duduk Bantah sit-in as the call for clean and fair elections continues.

Kuala Lumpur teems with energy as the city strides closer to the third BERSIH rally Saturday. The Duduk Bantah sit-in demonstration continues the group's call for clean and fair elections. As supporters of BERSIH flock online to spread the word, Malaysian authorities take a wary, if conservative, view on the whole affair.

Much like last year's demonstration attracted international interest, the new BERSIH event will likewise be observed by many across the globe. BERSIH supporters will be holding events in various other cities worldwide, with the thrust of the campaign hitting home in Kuala Lumpur.

MSN Malaysia polled our readers on their opinions on Saturday's Duduk Bantah, asking "Do you think the upcoming BERSIH 3.0 rally on April 28 is good for the country?" The results are clear:

  • An overwhelming 75% answered yes
  • 18% said no
  • 7% answered that they did not care

In another poll, over 1,400 responses answered our question "Will you be joining BERSIH 3.0 Duduk Bantah rally this April 28, 2012?" with

  • Yes, I am exercising my right to express (56%)
  • No, it is a waste of time (32%)
  • No, I am not very politically aware of this (9%)
  • Yes, but only for an hour (3%)

It can be safely concluded that regardless of where each individual holds politically, a public demonstration has the power to influence opinions, particularly among people on the fence. Duduk Bantah 3.0 will be a watershed moment for the nation, with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's administration able to make a strong statement on where they stand by choosing in favour of an authoritarian clampdown or a reconciliatory show of goodwill.

See Also

Anger as Afghan MPs halt women's bill debate
Previous Item
Anger as Afghan MPs halt women's bill debate
Sri Lanka Tamils defy ban on rebel memorial
Next Item
Sri Lanka Tamils defy ban on rebel memorial
User Picture
Write a comment...
15Comments
John Ng
Apr 27, 2012 5:16AM
avatar
It is indeed mind boggling that the ruling party has not register the sentiments of the people of Malaysia and blatantly adopt the authoritarian response. Perhaps they have so much to hide and going transparent will bare all their unscrupulous deeds. The run up to the 13 General Election was met all along the way with revelations of mismanagement of public funds, extravagance of spending and Ministers and senior government servants being implicated for corruption. The picture painted everyday of Malaysia with every stroke of the brush a darker scene with little transparency. The gloomy situation caused the people want change in the government!

Change 2012
Apr 27, 2012 9:54AM
avatar
Change the BN goverment once and for all.
If the PKR government don't do a good job, change it again.
We are the boss, not them.
chan238
Apr 27, 2012 9:58AM
avatar
Dear PM I dont understand why the govt cant show goodwill on this matter ...if your people want to do this...peacefully ( we all know they will) why do you stop them with a show of violence...your police lined up is violence...and violating of rights in the constitution. This is a way to know what the people want but you dont care for the people -  just the craze for power and power corrupts....you want absolute power and that corrupts absolutely. This is not the people against you...they have something to say, so listen. It solves all the problem. I have great respect for our national poet... will you use violence against him too? You mean to say he is not wise enough to know what he wants for the country he loves? The world is watching ... open your eyes and see justice ...how will you ever earn the respect of the developed world if you take such underhanded measures. There are elderly people who love this country enough to do something about this terrible disease of corruption that has got our country....they are going to be in the sit-in...dont earn the wrath of man and God by hurting them. Hurting these innocent citizens is the worst you can do as a leader. The political people who want to join in the sit-in have their rights to do so...you from the ruling party can also join in. It is not for the politicians that the sit-in is happening....it is for our hurt lives and country that we are doing this...dont do something that will go down in history as a shameful act of the PM.
chan238
Apr 27, 2012 10:18AM
avatar

Who the hell they think they are???? they dont think who they are ..they know who they are. Do you know who you are? Would you dare to ask our national poet this question directly??? if you dare, meet him at the rally....to do this at his age...he is a national hero in my eyes.

What makes you think  the Bersih demands are met...they are not...that is why they are doing this...up date yourself please. Just like the home minister and DBKL cannot agree on the permission for the rally, and giving the people the run about...the Bersih demands are also getting the run about. All that the educated, thinking citizen wants is a fair, fear-free life which will in turn raise the standard of the country.

Respected by the world. Strange you dont want that for your country.

johannes365
Apr 27, 2012 9:47AM
avatar
This country, which supposedly will obtain the "development status" in 2020, is governed by one of the most conservative governments in the region. It is besieged with many multi-million scandals and in order not to be caught, the corrupt leaders need to remain in power, hence the ridiculous measures taken to prevent Bersih 3. In another 100 years people will look back at this period with disbelief. Wish the Bersih 3 participants good weather and admire their courage.
road star
Apr 27, 2012 9:37AM
avatar
Foolish opinion from Rob Jan
Najib JR
Apr 27, 2012 10:49AM
avatar
Rob Jan.........hmmmmmmm​m........looks like you should be next PM!!! cause you sure HELL sound like the current one! Devil
sincere498
Apr 27, 2012 7:23PM
avatar

My Heartfelt support to all Malaysian taking part in Bersih 3 today,the govt.

must understand that you are all there for a peaceful sit in for a fair election and

not to create trouble.Thank you all for your brave stand.

salleh aman
Apr 27, 2012 7:32PM
avatar
BERSIH 3.0 vs JELAJAH JANJI DITEPATI....best of the best?
Someone
May 21, 2012 11:28PM
avatar
The cleaning up of dirty elections - Bangladesh immigrants made citizens? As for Indons ...nothing to say, they have been systematically made citizens in the past 20 years. Besides that we need urgently for the judiciary, education system and defense to be free....any country that has these three under the thumbs of politicians is doomed - not democratic.. DICTATORSHIP is its name.
All 4 1 Msia
Apr 29, 2012 8:45PM
avatar
WHAT AND WHO THE HELL THIS PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE ???????  

THESE PEOPLE WENT TO THE ROAD BECAUSE THEY ARE PAID FOR IT..... IF THE ELECTION IS DIRTY WHY NOT GIVE UP SELANGOR, KELANTAN , PENANG , KEDAH .....RIGHT AFTER THE 12TH GENERAL ELACTION...? DO NOT THINK THE SILENT MAJORITY IS AS STUPID AS YOU ALLL ARE......YOU ARE SCARED TO LOOSE IN THE 13TH COMING GE.....HENCE THIS IS TO CREATE PERCEPTION....BERSIH​ 3.0 = DIRTY TO POWER OF 3.

MALAYSIAN LOVES PEACE . THOSE WHO WENT TO BERSIH 3.0 =CORRUPT = DISGUSTINGLY DIRTY, LGBT, UNGRATEFUL BUNCH OF ALIENS WITH HEART OF MONKEYS...WHO KNOWS ONLY HOW TO SCREAM AND JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE .....UNCIVILISED PEOPLE (MAYBE MONKEYS).........

THE SILENT MAJORITY WILL SHOW THE POWER IN 13TH GE....WATCH OUT.....

AND MSN NEWS IS ALWAYS SKEWED....I WONDER WHO IS BEHIND THE EDITORIAL..... WE CAN POLLED YOUR NEWS TOO... AND YOUR NEWS IS PATHETIC WHO DO YOU WORK FOR???????? IT IS TOO OBVIOUS FOR ANY LAY MAN.... 
Najib407
Apr 27, 2012 1:13PM
avatar
I HATE.... MALAYSIA............​....
tc_ang
Apr 27, 2012 11:32AM
avatar
The BERSIH 3.0 is definitely not an NGO but a political arms for the Pakatan opposition. They claimed that the Malaysian General Election has never been clean, but there is an interesting question: If what they claimed is true, then how come they are able to win over the 4 states' administration which include Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kedah?
Rob Jan
Apr 27, 2012 9:31AM
avatar

Bersih 3.0 is baseless . Their demands have been met but for the arrogant  committee members

and the unscrupulous NGOs and Politicians have nothing better to do than create chaos in the

country. They have time and time again create issues that they know will make the country been

harrassed .

This is not the way forward for Bersih 3.0 as they are tea****ll the bad influences to our children,

with their war cry . What do they think that the majority of the rakyat like they are doing.

Just for the record , WHAT AND WHO THE HELL THIS PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE ??????? 

Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

More photos from News

Scroll upScroll down

Election Features

Photo credit to Chelsia Ng
Concerned Malaysians speak up for peace and unity

A press statement endorsed by Malaysians of all walks of life.

Top Stories

Del Toro branches out with Freudian drama at Cannes
Del Toro branches out with Freudian drama at Cannes

Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro stars in French Cannes contender "Jimmy P. - Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian", the true story of a traumatised Native American returning home from World War II that premiered on Saturday.