LIVE: 800 defy warning, march to Parliament to hand over memo to speaker

The Malaysian Insight The Malaysian Insight Updated 6 years ago · Published on 28 Mar 2018 12:10PM · 9 Comments

Pakatan Harapan leaders making their way to Parliament today despite a police lockdown. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 28, 2018.

IN spite of a road closure and threats of arrest, some 800 people ignored police orders and marched to Parliament’s gates today to protest the Election Commission’s re-delineation report.

The rally, organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, started at about 8am today at the National Monument, with a group of about 50 people in yellow t-shirts holding placards calling for free and fair elections and for the withdrawal of the re-delineation proposal.

However, the crowds began to swell as civil society and opposition leaders – including Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah – arrived at Tugu Negara to join the protesters.

Wielding batons, tear gas guns and shields, the officers from the Light Strike Force (LSF), accompanied by general duty policemen, tried to stop the crowd of about 800 people from marching to Parliament to hand in a memorandum of protest to Prime Minister Najib Razak and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Police earlier warned that those continuing towards Parliament would be arrested under the Peaceful Assembly Act (APA) 2012.

However, the protesters continued to march towards Parliament as police monitored them closely.

Civil societies and opposition politicians said the EC’s redelineation proposal for Selangor, controlled by the PH pact, violated the federal constitution and would lead to gerrymandering and malapportionment in the number of voters in seats.

Those at the rally said Najib will table the re-delineation report in Parliament today to “steal the 14th general election”, adding that the gerrymandering was too obvious.

The protesters, who were finally stopped from getting close to Parliament gate by a barricade of police officers, sat along Jalan Parlimen awaiting further instructions from organisers as they chanted slogans and sang songs.

Meanwhile, just outside Parliament, Bersih 2.0 acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari handed over the memorandum to an officer from the speaker’s office.

Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos, who was reported to have said yesterday that he will gather 5,000 people to counter the Bersih rally, did not show up.

The Malaysian Insight continues to bring you live updates of the proceedings from inside and outside Parliament.

Opposition leader and Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad arriving at the Bersih rally. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 28, 2018.

12:15pm: Shahrul Aman tells the crowd to disperse.

11.55am: Bersih 2.0 acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari says Bersih 2.0 negotiated at least three times with police before the representatives are allowed to pass the memorandum to the speaker’s office.

“The purpose of the memorandum was to tell the speaker that the re-delineation exercise does not need to be discussed in Parliament.”

11.44am: Bersih 2.0 acting chair Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari hands over the memorandum to an officer from the speaker’s office

11.40am: Protesters still in high spirit despite the scorching weather. Singing Kita Lawan song.

11.18am: Light Strike Force officers are armed with batons and tear gas.

11.14am: Police instructed to make sure that protesters are not able to pass through Parliament.

11.09am: Protesters now number about 800 and moving towards Parliament. Police forming a barricade.

11am: Police moving to lock the gates at Parliament.

10.23am: Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister-candidate Dr Mahathir Mohamad says they have gathered here because they have lost hope in Malaysia’s democracy.

“This country is now a kleptocracy country. They will oppress the people in whatever way possible. Don’t be scared if you are threatened.”

10.20am: PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar says Malaysians have gathered here because they love the country. She urges police to arrest Jho Low over 1MDB crimes.

The Light Strike Force officers about 10m away from the vehicle to be used by the Bersih organisers. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 28, 2018.

10.14am: DAP’s Lim Kit Siang says Prime Minister Najib Razak will table the re-delineation report today to “steal the elections” in the 14th general election.

10.09am: Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, arrive at the rally.

10.04am: Amanah president Mohamad Sabu says the EC’s re-delineation report infringes on the rights of Malaysians for free and fair elections.

9.45am: Sangeetha Raj, 40, says: “My husband tells me just now that before you die by the snake bite, you better at least knock it with stick. My presence today may not change anything considering how things are going. But at least I tried”.

9.40am: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin arrives.

9.32am: John Yap, 50 from Selangor says: “I have participated in previous Bersih rallies. This is a small set up so fears of being loaded into the police truck not so much.”

He came at 7.45am.

“The re-delineation exercise does not affect my constituency but I am not concerned about my area. I am concerned about the country in general. The gerrymandering is too obvious.”

Former Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah at the gathering this morning. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 28, 2018.

9.25am: Buddhist Realists’ Vihara reverend Dr Sumana Siri joins the rally clad in his robes to oppose the EC’s report.

“It is our moral duty to think about not only ourselves but for the people. The government of the day is doing things not just morally wrong but also legally wrong.”

9.15am: Former Bersih 2.0 chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan says she is against the Election Commission’s re-delineation report and anti-fake news act.

“Why are we here today? I attended because I am against two things. Election Commission’s re-delineation report and anti-fake news act.

“It is a terrible act. We must oppose. Why are they rushing on the eve of elections to pass such a law? It is a fake act, they are doing it to intimidate us. They are afraid. Today we must make our voices heard. It is about the people.”

9am: “No, I am not afraid. I’m here for one reason – to reject gerrymandering in the elections. If they are not listening then we have to work hard so they will listen to us,” said Zainal Abidin, 55, Simpang Renggam, a trader at today’s protest.

Zainal has been going to street protests since 1999.

“I am not afraid if I were to be arrested. This is normal. This is the risk that I am willing to take.”

8.55am: Dang Wangi police chief Shaharudin Abdullah says only 10 people will be allowed to Parliament to hand over the protest memorandum.

“We allow you guys to gather here… guys, but there will be no marching. We can only allow about four to 10 to hand over the memorandum.”

8.51am: Police barricade the road from Tugu Negara leading to Parliament. Light Strike Force members are on standby. The crowd is estimated about 300.

8.45am: Opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrives at Tugu Negara.

Opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrives at Tugu Negara. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 28, 2018.

8.44am: Bersih 2.0 secretariat Mandeep Singh says they will continue to march to Parliament.

“They are stealing the elections. This re-delineation report is unfair. We will protest this.”

8.26am: Dang Wangi police chief Shaharudin Abdullah warns Bersih that if they continue to march to Parliament, they would face action.

8.18am: Around 200 people are gathered at Tugu Negara wearing yellow. Bersih 2.0 acting chair Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari and former Bersih chair Maria Chin Abdullah are present. – March 28, 2018.

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Comments

  • If The Malaysian opposition spent as much time building a democratic egalitarian, visionary prospectus for their parties as they do snooping and sniffing for electoral fraud then this would be a wonderful nation. As it is we have a collection of unimaginative, selfish, multiple losers who are trying to con the Malaysian public into thinking they have something of value to offer. What is truly astounding is that thanks to the critical skills of the opposition we know everything that is wrong with BN. What we DONT KNOW is IF, WHEN and HOW the opposition will fix anything. If Selangor and Penang are any indication then we know they will fix nothing. All they want is the status quo to remain, but with them in control of the money. BTW, have the Harapan hoaxers adopted Bersih’s electoral reform agenda. If so, HOW and WHEN will they carry it out? Will Bersih become answerable to Parliament. What will happen to all the useless employees of the rotten EC?

    Posted 6 years ago by Dennis Da Menace · Reply

    • *yawn*

      Posted 6 years ago by Tommy richard · Reply

  • Today and tomorrow will be critical as to whether we can stop the bulldozing juggernaut from rolling over our body to snatch the election that will accelerate the country’s unrelenting slide towards infamy.
    Parliament will move to embrace the abominable redelineation plan today, and the Court of Appeal will decide whether such a plan is constitutional.
    Tragically, public opinion seems dormant on these life-or-death issues that will determine the fate of the nation for generations to come. Will we live with our heads high as proud Malaysians of a successful country, or will we be doomed to be citizens of a failed state, where immorality prevails and thieves and robbers rule?
    GE 14 will give the answer. And the critical events over these two days will decide whether the ruling coalition can use this shameful electoral roll to snatch the election right in front of our eyes.
    We common citizens are neither judges nor members of parliament, but we certainly can play a vital role by demonstrating our will publicly in massive waves that will help these people in vital positions to do what is right and just for the people and the country.
    This is the hour that really matters. Turn out in full force to this Bersih rally now, and if you can’t, show your support through the media (Internet and HP) to rally support for this event. If everyone makes his best effort, such individual efforts will form an unstoppable torrent to sweep away obstacles.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kim quek · Reply

  • A government formed without the pillar of democracy will collapse fast and collapse miserably.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Today we see a Nation protesting to this changes but tomorrow our 'caring' Government will bulldoze this through as they are arrogant but they say they listen to the grassroots !!!!! What has ever happend to the caring Government that they preach about???? They dont listen, becoming more and more arrogant and we still have jamal who says he'll gather 5000 UMNO supporters to march as well......LOL

    Posted 6 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • With every passing Bersih Rally the message to PH gets louder and clearer. But PH refuse to acknowledge the message. Like all righteous Malaysians THEY know what’s GOOD for EVERYONE. Well, at least they know what’s good for their 800 mindless supporters. ***suppressed giggle***. I can hardly wait to hear what PH have to say when they perform abysmally in the next election

    Posted 6 years ago by Dennis Da Menace · Reply

    • Yaaaawwwwnnnnnn.

      Posted 6 years ago by Tommy richard · Reply

  • High time for the opposition and Rakyat to have an affirmative actions and take EC to court and dismiss them of their responsibility. EC is no more an indpendent and impartial as all their actions leads back to UmnoBN den.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • It remains now to be seen if the police will press charges against any participant at the protest after being unable to stop the sheer numbers "bulldozing" their way to the gates of Parliament..

    Posted 6 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply