Anwar, leader of the federal opposition and its prime minister-designate, said this was because the opposition had previously exhausted all other available options to no avail.
“That is the whole interest (of Bersih 2.0), to express in this manner because all other avenues have failed. We have sent memos, (held) series of discussions, protest... Everything has been done, submissions with facts and evidence,” he told reporters after speaking at a forum on public service integrity here this morning.
Election watchdog Bersih along with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component parties are gearing up for a rally this July 9, the second such gathering calling for electoral reforms.
The first rally, also organised by Bersih, was held in 2007 and saw some 50,000 people take to the capital’s streets. The gathering eventually dispersed, however, and resulted in chaos when the police deployed tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators.
The historic event has been partly credited for PR’s record gains in Election 2008, when the opposition pact was swept to power in five states and won 82 parliamentary seats.
When it was pointed out that Bersih’s 2007 rally had not resulted in any change to the country’s election process and that the July 9 gathering was likely to turn out the same, Anwar nodded his acknowledgement.
“But at least there is greater awareness among the public that the process is fraudulent. Which means they have to work harder... they have to monitor the election at all levels,” he said.
Anwar also acknowledged that violence could mar Bersih’s rally next week, but noted that the coalition’s leaders had already given their assurance they would not instigate any harm on others.
“From the statements by (Bersih chairman Datuk) Ambiga (Sreenevasan) and the team, they will accord and accept all possible rules, procedures, conditions to ensure there is a peaceful rally,” he said.
Anwar also reiterated his claim that the authorities were trying to concoct reasons to arrest Bersih protestors ahead of the rally, citing the example of last weekend’s detention of over 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists for allegedly attempting to “revive communism”.
“There is a clear effort, they are trying to create reasons to capture us. They say [there are] foreigners involved, foreign funding involved, Christians involved, communists involved. Is this a new story?” he said.
Anwar added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has failed to live up to his own portrayal of himself as a liberal and moderate leader.
“Someone gets arrested at 2am for selling a Bersih yellow T-shirt... What is this? It is clearly authoritarian. Najib will portray himself as a liberal but yet a person can be arrested for selling a T-shirt. This is ridiculous,” he said.
When asked if he planned on braving the possible clash between Bersih and counter protestors by personally attending the rally, Anwar smiled and repeated the question to the reporter.
“Are you coming?” he asked.
When the reporter said “Yes”, Anwar nodded and said, “Okay, I will follow you.”
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