BERSIH 2.0 initiated a fund-raiser today to fund its legal proceedings and operational costs. Chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said it is looking to raise RM500,000 in the next four months.

“Bersih staff and volunteers are facing 120 police investigations nationwide. We need at least RM100,000 to pay for their legal aid,” she said at a press conference in the Bersih 2.0 office in Petaling Jaya. 

Maria said it is, at present, supporting eight court cases which involve the redelination process and volunteers charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act. 

“To date, we have spent RM50,000 on legal fees. This is for the legal action that was taken against the Bersih convoy and the pre-arrests of our volunteers before the Bersih 5 rally last year in November at Dataran Medeka.

“While we have 20 lawyers who are doing the work pro bono, Bersih still has to cover the cost for disbursements, research and transport.”

It has RM520,000 in its coffers, which will be able to sustain the electoral watchdog’s campaigns for the next year. 

“The funds are allocated for programmes and to respond to legal actions. We have six full-time staff members and the cost to operate and run the office comes up to about RM35,000 a month.”

Global Bersih steering committee member Ivy Josiah, who will be heading the fund-raiser, urged the public to dig deep into their pockets. 

“We are urging the public to help Bersih in our efforts for free and fair elections. 

“During Bersih 4, we have managed to collect RM545,000. The bulk of it went to legal costs and our voter registration campaigns.”

The main reason for the funds is to fight suits.

“We have been diligently paying out taxes and our audit report for July 2015 to June 2016 is available on our website. Bersih’s work to bring institutional reform is never-ending.”

Bersih 2.0 regional coordinator Jay Jay Denis said while this is not an ideal time to look for funds with the soft economy, it is still hoping for public support. 

“Bersih is here to keep the government in check. If Bersih is not here, the people won’t have a voice. 

“If we can get each person to give RM500 that will be great. However, if those who can’t afford that amount, RM10 will do. The most important aspect is that we want people to register as voters.”

Those interested can support Bersih 2.0 at: 

Maybank account No. 512295102931

Account name: Bersih & Adil Network Sdn Bhd. – June 1, 2017.