Bersih 3.0 ended in violence. But that must not detract from what was achieved. Most importantly, that must not distract us from the need for serious electoral reforms. A solid electoral system is the backbone for any democracy.
The Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, 2012 was historic. By conservative estimates, at least 100,000 people turned up in the march towards Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. There were thousands more in other Malaysian cities and in 85 cities and towns around the world.
It’s unfortunate that the rally was marred by ugly incidents that took away some of its impact. But the amazing fact remains that so many people were there. And this despite the threats put out earlier by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and the police. The atmosphere was festive, and 99% of the people who came had no intentions of causing trouble. If they did, Kuala Lumpur would have been damaged – no, wrecked.
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