BN’s Bersih rally phobia persists

B Nantha Kumar | July 7, 2011

Although the 'Walk for Democracy' is off, the government continues with its campaign to instil fear in the public.

KUALA LUMPUR: Although Bersih has cancelled its July 9 street rally, the government is persisting in its campaign to cajole, discourage and intimidate citizens against supporting the organisation’s call for electoral reforms.

The campaign is both intensive and extensive, involving not only public agencies and BN-controlled media, but also bodies not normally thought of as being under direct control of the Najib administration. The latter include tolled highway concessionaires.

A source from the mainstream media told FMT that his organisation has been directed “not to make too clear” the distinction between a street demonstration and an indoor rally.

According to an editor for a Tamil daily, there is a directive either to boycott news about Bersih or to put it in a bad light.

“If we carry news about Bersih, it must be angled to favour the BN government,” he told FMT.

Since last week, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) stations have been carrying anti-Bersih messages following their news broadcasts. These include warnings of a repeat of the May 1969 race riots.

It is also learnt that employees in government agencies and government-linked companies are prohibited from joining the Bersih rally.

There is also an allegation that Telekom Malaysia (TM) has put out a circular warning employees of immediate termination of service for participation in the rally. FMT was unable to get a copy. A TM official told our reporter to email his request, but the email bounced.

In the last three days, electronic message boards on the highways have been flashing a police warning in place of information about traffic conditions. The sign says: “Police warning: We will use the Sedition Act against those participating in illegal gatherings.”

Police have also been carrying out spot checks at budget hotels in and around Kuala Lumpur and have told hoteliers to alert them if any of their guests looks like someone going to the rally.

Meanwhile, authorities appear to be tolerating anti-Bersih activities, even if they are against the law. For example, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) seems to have turned a blind eye against illegal posters demonising Bersih. These do not carry DBKL license numbers. They have been around for about two weeks, and City Hall does not appear to be bothered about removing them.

Recently, opposition parties criticised as excessively threatening poster paraded by soldiers and policemen during rally control exercises. It carried the following warning: “Disperse, or we’ll shoot.”