POLITICIANS may continue to disappoint Malaysians and leave some who joined the Bersih rallies wondering what the protests were for.

But as the coalition for electoral reforms marks its 15th year, it can be said that its greatest impact on the public is the shedding of fear. Malaysia today is different from the country it was before Bersih entered the scene.

It is all right to change a government that has ruled for decades, and it is all right to protest peacefully in the streets and make one’s voice heard, said Malaysians recounting their experiences as Bersih rally participants in conjunction with coalition’s anniversary today.

In 2006, opposition politicians and activists started Bersih, making yellow its signature colour, demanding electoral reforms and good governance.

The movement, which later became fully led by civil society, was branded anti-government and even anti-Malay by its opposers.

Fast forward to 2021, the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) comprising several civil society groups is now a well-known civil rights movement, not just in Malaysia, but in Southeast Asia, with overseas chapters in several countries.

The Malaysian Insight spoke to people who participated in Bersih rallies who recalled how the movement had reshaped the country’s political landscape as well as voters’ mindsets.

Ex-Bersih 2.0 secretariat manager Mandeep Singh said he was not even an activist when he joined the second rally in 2011. He said he protested because he felt it was “cool” to be a “rebel”.

“Youth want to be seen as cool or rebels. It is not so much because of political conscience,” said the 36-year old.

But this changed as Mandeep became more involved, joining Bersih 2.0 as a worker in 2013. He was arrested together with then Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah right before the fifth rally in 2016.

“Bersih changed our country’s political landscape and understanding. While we had Reformasi back in 1998, Bersih’s impact for me was bigger, because people were taught about democracy, voting and human rights.

“A 60-year old regime was brought down because people realised that actually it was okay to change a government,” said Mandeep referring to the Barisan Nasional (BN) which had been in government since independence until 2018.

Bersih made joining a peaceful protest a badge of pride for many in the face of tear gas and water cannons. Its first rally in 2007 was in response to allegations of corruption and electoral wrongdoing by BN. Some said the Hindraf rally in November the year before had emboldened the people to defy curbs on their freedom of expression.

The Reformasi movement nearly a decade prior was the first demonstration of public anger at the government’s heavy-handedness, namely Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking from government and his incarceration for sodomy.

After the first Bersih rally in 2007, it was as though Malaysians were no longer afraid to express themselves. If not for this, the country would not have changed, said private school teacher Norlaila Othman.

Then a mother of one, she recalled how she went to the 2007 rally with her husband and son.

“My son was 11 at the time and it was during Hari Raya. I told relatives that I was going to visit friends but actually my husband and I went to the rally.

“It was chaotic. The FRU sprayed chemical-laced water and charged at the protesters. My son and I got separated and he was picked up by the cops; eventually TV stations captured his image.

“My relatives were shocked. They called to ask why he was being held by the cops. Then they knew we went to the rally. My son was released right after.

“I have no regrets bringing him along. He is now 28 years old and that incident taught him about human rights.

He had his political awakening at a very young age,” said Norlaila, now 60.

Like Mandeep, Norlaila said people would not have learnt about their rights and democracy if not for Bersih.

“People from all walks of life were indirectly educated by this movement. Bersih taught us that it is important to have free and fair elections,” she said.

Hadi Khalid, meanwhile, recalled witnessing police brutality at several Bersih rallies he joined.

Now 39, he said it took the country more than 10 years to acknowledge the people’s right to assemble.

“Bersih 2 and 3 for me were brutal. Water cannons, police beating up protesters, images of people trying to escape police, were all vivid.

“Slowly after that, opposition MPs took up the matter in Parliament, debating about the freedom to assemble and about free and fair elections. It was not that easy but I think Bersih, against all odds, managed to make this happen,” he said.

Hadi is now a programme director for a local think-tank called Nadi Centre.

Yeow Ling, a Malaysian residing in South Korea, recalled how she organised a small protest in Seoul in 2011 in solidarity with the second Bersih rally.

 She said she “felt the need” to do that along with the Malaysians in other countries who were doing the same.

“It was a phenomenon. Everyone was talking about free and fair elections. I decided to call up some friends in Seoul and organise a small gathering in the city.”

The 40-year old linguist said her group went to the Malaysian embassy in Seoul to submit a memorandum but was stopped by the police.

“So we held a peaceful rally and the turnout was good. Malaysians who were tourists came to show support. It was overwhelming for me and my friends.

“I’ve never failed to send my postal vote from abroad. I do so because it is important for everyone to have a say.”

“You can be labelled anti- or pro-government, it does not matter. When it is time to vote, you vote. That’s what Bersih taught all of us. You can vote for anyone you like but it must be in a free and fair manner.”

Fatin Amira from Selangor had not intended to protest at first.

She was a college student trying to complete a photography assignment when the Bersih 5 rally was called, and she decided to photograph the event.

“I had heard about Bersih before but I was never interested to know more. But there was so much hype about the rally that I decided I needed to see it for myself. 

“Surprisingly, it was so calm and organised. I was expecting riots, so I didn’t really get the photographs I was hoping for.

“But from the speeches, I learnt that free and fair elections were important for democracy and that without transparency, we would not progress as a nation,” she said.

Clement Teo, who lives in Sungai Petani, Kedah, recalled driving with friends all the way from the northern state south to Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Bersih 5 rally.

Teo, now 44, said he would “do it again” if there is a Bersih rally in the near future.

“What the rallies did was to create awareness that as citizens, we have our rights and these rights need to be respected,regardless of our race or religion.

“No one dared to join street rallies 20 years ago. But that changed when Bersih was formed. 

At the very least, Teo added, Bersih has taught Malaysians that it is okay to disagree with your government.

“We were told about free and fair elections etc, but for me, Bersih opened the door for people to be brave.” – November 23, 2021.