BERSIH @ Dataran Merdeka

Links
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I'll summarise what I've just found out through pocks of information here and there on the net.

-Kuala Lumpur city in gridlock. Roadblocks everywhere on roads leading to KL.
-Massive FRU, Special Branch, and Police presence, chemical-laden water cannons and tear gas used to disperse crowd at certain areas of rallying like Masjid Jamek, Masjid India.
-Dataran Merdeka completely sealed off past 1.20pm.
-Government order to mainstream media not to publish any statements made by BERSIH, previous demonstrations shown on mainstream TV, no coverage allowed on BERSIH.
-TV3 Presenters seen wearing yellow tie =P
-NTV7 claims police "foiled" BERSIH gathering.
- Rumours of the 19th Royal Regiment based in Sungai Petani, Kedah ordered by The Supreme Leader to protect the activists.


-Utusan Melayu front page quotes PM Badawi as saying "Saya Pantang Dicabar".
-Fear Factor utilised to play down people's voice.
-Palace gates left open although severe opposition by police in front of Istana Negara.
-Malaysiakini.com/Malaysia-today.net/HarakahDaily.net all experiencing severe delays.


Al Jazeera's coverage.

Lastly,
More pictures, here.

Al Jazeera ran an interview with the Information Minister on this gathering.
This was one of the feedback I saw.

Saya rasa amat malu dengan temuramah yang di-jalankan olih Al-Jazeerah dengan Menteri Penerangan kita.

Bahasa Inggeris yang di-tuturkan tidak dapat mencerminkan kawalan bahasa yang betul dan isi kata Zam hanya menunjukkan pengetahuan dan pendededahan tipis tentang informasi antarabangsa dan etika dalam temuramah.

Dakwaan Zam yang polis telah mengawal baik keadaan sunnguh menggelikan hati masyarakat kerana ini bercanggah dengan keadaan di-mana polis telah menggunakan gas pemedih mata dan ayer semburan.

Para peserta perhimpunan sa-benar-nya yang telah berkelakuan dengan baik dan mengikut rancangan yang telah di-tentukan untuk berjalan terus ka-istana tanpa melakukan rusuhan atau jenayah melanggar keamanan negara. Pihak polis yang telah melakukan reaksi melebehi dari yang perlu dengan melakukan keganasan menggunakan gas pemedih mata serta water cannon terhadap peserta yang tak berdosa.

Bukan masyarakat Malaysia yang mentertawakan Al-Jazeerah tapi masyarakat dunia yang mentertawakan Zam dengan bahasa pincang-nya dan kebodohan-nya tidak menhiraukan bukti yang pihak polis ada menggunakan kekerasan yang tidak perlu dan lagi melebehi kadar kawalan yang di-perlukan.

Sa-kurang2-nya Malaysia harus melantik Menetri Penerangan yang lebih berwibawa dan pintar berfikir sa-cara professional dan mempunyai kawalan bahasa Inggeris yang bolih di-banggakan. Sungguh malu.

I'll end it with this question. Our Agong, the Supreme Ruler has made it clear that he allows the representatives of BERSIH to present a memorandum to him. Why is it that PM Badawi does not dare to criticise the Agong? Instead, blaming all this as an challenge to the country's stability? Why is it that the PM does not view this as an opposition to the government? Why are all the BN Component Party members giving the silent treatment? Is our de-facto law minister going to say, "100,000 is not the the majority, it's not 27mil people, we only care if the majority wants a change."?

My duly respect to all the coordinators and organisers of this rally. My utmost honor to see the royals accepting the memorandum and recently addressing the people's problems.

Daulat Tuanku.
Daulat Tuanku.
Daulat Tuanku.