Bersih 4 rally in Kuching – live updates

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The Bersih 4 rally is slated to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu today at 2pm. The Borneo Post team will be keeping you updated with on-the-scene updates.


5.19pm

Now the emcee is wishing all a safe journey home and welcoming people to come back tonight for entertainment, camping fun and even a joget session.

Participants are allowed to bring barbecue sets, mattresses and tikar for the second part of the programme that starts at 8.30pm onwards.

People heading off home to 'rehat' before the rally continues tonight at 8.30pm.

People heading off home to ‘rehat’ before the rally continues tonight at 8.30pm.


“We set aside our racial differences. We are here as Sarawakians. We want fair elections, good economy, good governance and freedom to speech. Let our voices be heard loud.” – Edward Andrew Luak


Bersih is to clean what are not clean. Corruption, abuse of power. We have the responsibility and duty to transform. We want to see our children and younger generation have a better place to stay.

Brother and sisters, we must not fear. We need to be courageous we must be brave must not be coward. Mind you, what all know Sarawak is so rich and yet so many people are among us.-Nicholas Bawin


4.30pm

Crowd on the field is beginning to lessen due to the heat. Most are retreating to the drinks stalls to cool off.

People lining up to buy drinks at the stall area at Song Kheng Hai.

People lining up to buy drinks at the stall area at Song Kheng Hai.


4.26pm

“What is Najib as PM and Minister of Finance doing about the depreciating ringgit? If you are a caring leader, you should do something instead of focusing on complaining how the RM2.6billion was banked into his personal account. And up to today, still claiming to be donations,” said Pending assemblyman Violet Yong.

Yong ended her speech with ‘I Love You All’.


4:15 pm

A participant Jimmy Donald said, “Today we come to say NO to corruption. Through this Bersih, we want to show something to the administrator in Kuala Lumpur that we in Sarawak can do things better.”

We must support the call for more autonomy in education.

There is no perfect democracy under the sun but we must ask for better.

I have lived in four countries. Seven years ago, I chose to come back to Sarawak. I chose this because it is a beautiful place, beautiful people, beautiful sky, beautiful, except for one thing – politics. – Karen Shepherd


 

3:50 pm

Participants are told that the organisers can confiscate any banners that intend to tarnish the image of any individual.

 

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People sitting on the ground to listen to speeches. The estimated crowd is now 3,000.


3:30 pm

Peter John Jaban is the emcee of the ceremony. He thanked ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad for sending hundreds of his men to Bersih 4 Kuching.

He also thanked Mayor of Kuching for “tutup mata sebelah”.

“We thank the Chief Minister of Sarawak for giving us the green light,” Peter said this with a big round of applause from the participants.

Participants are advised to pick up garbage after the rally.

“We in Sarawak can live together in peace. We sit in the coffeeshop together, you eat your kolo mee and I eat my laksa, no problem.”

“We Sarawak must show a very good example to our counterparts in Malaya.”


 

3:15pm

The brooms symbolise cleaning, probably, ready to also clean up the field after the event proper is over? Good job!

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“It is going to be a good day,” Karen Shepherd, spokesperson Bersih 4.0.


 

3:10 pm

The organisers announced that no children are allowed in the field and called on all participants to sit down, “We do it the Sarawak style, we sit down.”

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3:05pm

DAP group chanting “Najib turun. Hidup Bersih.”


 

3:00pm

The estimated number at Song Kheng Hai ground now is about 1,000. The spokesperson of Bersih 4 Kuching Karen Shepherd said, “There are definitely more than 1,000 as of now 3:00 pm.”

 

IMG-20150829-WA019The child is seen at the rally with her family. The mother said they came all the way from Sibu, “We couldn’t help it, we have to support this campaign.”


2.58pm

Some participants taking photos with police.

Some participants taking photos with police.

 


2.56pm


2:40pm

They claimed to be members of Anonymous, a group campaigning for clean, fair and transparent government.

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Datuk Dr Jerip Susil

Datuk Dr Jerip Susil

Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said that the State Government was open to freedom of expression but advised people not not to abuse it.

Jerip hoped there would be no disturbance during the public rally. He was not sure what advantage or disadvantage of the rally there would be and would let the public judge for themselves.

He said had no ideas on the issue the people wanted to express and that time will tell. “I am sure there will be placards, buntings and banners to express their feelings and we can pick it from there.”

When asked whether certain people would use the event as political platform, he said: “I assume there is political mileage otherwise why would they carry out the rally?”


Fatimah - File photo

Datuk Fatimah Abdullah

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah hoped that the Bersih rally will stay peaceful and true to the purpose that the organiser had stipulated when applying for permission.

“As long as there is compliance with the law, the peaceful rally is allowed. We hope that organisers follow strictly to regulations and conditions and will not cause inconvenience to the public.

“Do not create the negative image that our state or country is not peaceful and unsafe. Negative perception will deter potential investors when they see the news from the television and social media. We want to attract more visitors and investors as this is important for our economy and tourism. Show that we are a united and peaceful country.”


2.18pm

#Bersih4 Kuching rally participants chanting


2.06pm

ACP Roslan Bek advising #Bersih4 rally-goers


1.45pm

Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen advising #Bersih4 participants.


Scenes from downtown Kuching before the rally

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Participants forming a human chain to pass boxes of mineral water across th Song Kheng Hai rugby field.

1.34pm

Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen just arrived to the gathering spot in front of Hilton Hotel.

Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen just arrived to the gathering spot in front of Hilton Hotel.

1.27pm

Unfurling flags and banner in preparation to walk to Song Kheng Hai ground.

Unfurling flags and banner in preparation to walk to Song Kheng Hai ground.

1.10pm

Another participant getting into Bersih spirit.

Another participant getting into Bersih spirit.

People gathering at Dawn Cafe behind Tribal Stove getting ready for #Bersih4 Kuching.

People gathering at Dawn Cafe behind Tribal Stove getting ready for #Bersih4 Kuching.

The scene at Dawn cafe.. more people are coming

The scene at Dawn cafe.. more people are coming

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Here is Song Kheng Hai Ground, Kuching at 9:00 am this morning.

 


12.32pm

“Our right honorable chief minister already mentioned you do it within the law and of course our Sarawak way. There is a designated venue in Kuching, Song Kheng Hai Ground. So hopefully they will do in peace and within the law.” Datuk Julaihi Narawi when asked on Bersih  at the opening of Sarawak Furniture and Home Expo 2015 at CityONE Megamall this morning.