KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — Thousands continued rallying at Bersih 4 here in a carnival-like atmosphere last night as other protesters occupied the streets overnight to push for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignation amid a bad economy.
Many chose to stay overnight even though this was the first rally by polls reform group Bersih 2.0 to have protesters stay the night, after tens of thousands flooded the streets of the capital city yesterday afternoon.
Demonstrators blew their air horns, bought Bersih merchandise from street vendors and listened to speeches when night fell. Some were seen making themselves comfortable, laying down floor mats and old newspapers, while others brought sleeping bags.
Sixty-five-year-old Siti Aminah Mahmud, who was sitting on a mat next to the Bersih stage near Dataran Merdeka, said she has been in KL since 6am yesterday.
“My friends and I, all seven of us crammed in a car and left JB at 1am yesterday. And we’ve been here since,” she told Malay Mail Online, surrounded by four of her friends who were already sound asleep.
The Umno turned PKR member, who has been to the three previous Bersih rallies too, as well as the opposition-led Black 505 rally in 2013 and the Anti-GST rally this year, said she felt Bersih 4 was very different compared to other demonstrations.
“This time there are a lot less Malays, I don’t know why. All the rallies that I’ve been too, there are a lot. It’s quite frustrating,” added the former detainee under the now-defunct Internal Security Act (ISA).
Twins Jessie and Linda Tan, 57, said they too have been out in the streets here since yesterday morning and have booked a hotel room nearby.
“Now, the issue is getting worse. Not only about GST and Najib but now got additional issue, our economy and currency and Najib is always denying things,” Jessie said, referring to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that was implemented last April.
Suresh, 41, who works in oil and gas said he joined the rally at night and would sleep in his car.
“We need to change. There are no jobs, currency is down, I work overseas a lot, so I’m really affected. I’m really angry,” Suresh said.
There was no police crackdown at Bersih 4, with no arrests made or tear gas or water cannons used on protesters. Bersih 2.0’s latest rally appeared to be dominated by the ethnic Chinese and the middle-class, after PAS, which used to bring in Malay supporters to previous Bersih protests, opted to stay out of Bersih 4.
Sabah
The environment at the Bersih 4 rally in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, was akin to an organised campsite with a smattering of tents, smoke from a barbecue with grilled chicken wings and sausages, singing and clapping to local music, illuminated by a single line of light-bulbs.
The breeze from the South China Sea and the swaying casuarina trees above added to the atmosphere at the overnight rally attended by some 300 campers.
Gina Hon, a 56-year-old special education teacher, said it was very similar to her camping days and that staying the night was not a hard choice under the circumstances.
“I don’t think it’s a big sacrifice to make, not compared to what other activists have done for their countries,” Hon told Malay Mail Online.
“It’s the least we can do as Malaysians, for our children’s future. I don’t know if it’ll change anything, but we’re doing something. Making a statement,” she added.
Hon and her husband Steve had only packed a change of clothes and basic toiletries, along with a sleeping bag, and settled down under one of the canopies erected at the Likas Bay Park II for the night.
The slight breeze carried the sounds of gongs easily between the grassy plains, where some protesters were dancing the Sumazau to the gentle beating rhythm.
“It’s not as loud or aggressive as the rally in KL we think, but a very Sabahan-style event,” she said, referring to the convivial and laid-back atmosphere, with a communal barbecue and merry-making.
Sino Kadazan Desmond Lim and his gang of 15 friends said they didn’t bring anything to stay overnight, but would brave the environment anyway.
“We’ll be fine. There’s food and water and something to lie on. We can bear this,” he said.
The group claimed a piece of tarpaulin provided by the organisers and made it their own with water bottles and makeshift pillows.
Some 2,000 Malaysians joined the Bersih 4 rally at the Sabah capital yesterday afternoon, according to police estimates.
Sarawak
The overnight Bersih 4 rally at Kuching, Sarawak, also appeared to be relaxed at night, with poetry reading and music playing at the Song Kheng Hai rugby field here, after some 2,500 Malaysians gathered at the protest yesterday afternoon.
Human rights activist Paula Chang said staying overnight at the field was fun and reminded her of camping in school days.
“We have to fight hard to change this federal government, but through democratic means,” she said.
Student Ali Hassan and his friends played traditional Malay music to make the night merrier.
“Yes, we enjoy playing this kind of music,” he said, declining to say which university they attended.
Ali also read a poem while his friends beat the kompang and played the guitar.
Julia Chan reported from Kota Kinabalu and Sulok Tawie reported from Kuching.
