Bersih rally in shade, the Sarawakian way

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 A banner ‘Power to the rakyat’ is seen among the crowd. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

A banner ‘Power to the rakyat’ is seen among the crowd. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The Bersih 4.0 rally, that is all for clean and fair elections as well as good governance, started at Padang Song Kheng Hai here yesterday as peacefully as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem wants it to be – the Sarawakian way!

The only thing nerve-jangling was people fighting shy of the hot sun as participants from across the state — Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Lundu, Simunjan, Kapit, Limbang, Sri Aman, Betong — you name it, joined the modest rally of over 3,000 as soon as speeches crackled over the PA system from 3pm.

Before 2pm, thousands from all walks of life were already waiting for the rally to kick-off. They were, however, not braving the scorching sun on the field. Almost everyone sought the shade – either sheltering at the main stand or in the corridors of the Song Kheng Hai hawker centre.

Besides the strong number in the vicinity of the field, one would not miss the presence of the men in blue as well, but in observation mode.

The rumblings to the rally did not trigger any massive jam in the Song Kheng Hai and Padungan areas, thanks to the thoughtful organisation of having four groups of participants marching into the field from four different meeting points, namely Jubilee Ground, Hilton Kuching Hotel, Sarawak Museum and Kuching Waterfront.

As soon as the masses reached the field, many approached the podium to put down signatures in support of the campaign to ‘save the economy’. The organiser also provided free flow of bottled water for all.

A primary school girl was spotted near the main stand before the rally officially started, garbed in the yellow Bersih t-shirt, standing next to her mother, who told thesundaypost that they came all the way from Sibu.

“We cannot help it but to support this campaign. We are just here for a short while and will be leaving before you know it. Why? Is there anything else I can help you with?” remarked the mother. Within minutes, the mother left with her child.

Before the master of ceremony Peter John Jaban took to the podium, an announcement was made: “No children are allowed on the field”.

All participants were also requested to gather on the field instead of being sun-shy. “Come to the field to sit down, everyone. We do it the Sarawakian style. We sit down.”

Despite the exhortation, they took their sweet time. While some heeded the call and endured the heat by sitting on the field, many were uncooperative until yet another dig: “Is it fair to those who are already on the field in the hot sun while some of you are still in the shade?”

The organiser also made it clear the rally would not start until everyone settled on the ground. Only then did the crowd in yellow haul themselves to the field and be seated.

More than 10 speakers from various NGOs spoke at the official opening. Most sent out succinct, direct message about why the Bersih rally was held. Nearly all called for eradication of corruption, good governance and clean elections while a select one or two challenged the prime minister to step down because of the worsening economy now and rising government debts.

Sarawak-born Karen Sheperd, spokesperson for the two-day campaign, delivered a powerful, impassioned speech. She launched off saying she has lived in four countries and travelled widely but seven years ago, decided to return to Sarawak.

“I chose to make this place my home. And I still choose it now. Why? Because this is a beautiful place. It is paradise in so many ways. Beautiful land, beautiful people, beautiful sky, beautiful food, beautiful except for one thing – the politics.”

She spoke for many when despite advice to lay off politics, said she had to because “politics is tainting the lives of so many Malaysians; I am involved because I fear for the future of this nation; I am involved because I can’t stand it anymore.”

Sheperd pointed out that there was no perfect democracy anywhere in the world but she asserted that people “must ask for better”.

“We are not here to change the government. That will be decided at the election. Only the people of Sarawak can change the government at a democratic, free and fair election. But we are here to demand that those elections are democratic, free and fair so that the wishes of the rakyat, your wishes, are represented.”

She posed defining questions to the crowd, including an analogy: “If you own a restaurant and your manager is robbing you, do you burn down the restaurant? Or do you allow that manager to ask the police to arrest all the waiters? Do you fire the cashier?

“You fire the manager!” snapped Sheperd, adding, “And what if he refuses to go? Do you just let him stay and ruin your business? Of course not! You go out, find some friends, and you make him leave. This is our business! Don’t give up on it!”

She said everyone who was present at the rally asked for simple things – free and fair elections, clean government, strong parliamentary democracy, the right to dissent and saving the economy.

“Yet, they make so much fuss. They even try to make it illegal to wear yellow. Crazy! Gila! ‘Siau!’ In fair election, I expect my vote to be worth the same as everyone else’s. Not more and not less.

“We take to the streets because it is the only true expression of our wishes left to us. We know here that they can look at this crowd and each person standing here will be counted. You will be counted. They may say that only 50 turned up, but we will know. So look around and count the votes.”

She concluded her address with “Bersih, Bersih, Bersih” which resonated well with the crowd.

All the speeches were delivered a little after 5pm when the master of ceremony wished participants a safe journey home and welcomed them to be back to the field for entertainment and camping camaraderie from 8.30pm.

The rally is expected to end at 11.50pm today (Aug 30).

Spokesperson Karen Sheperd addresses the crowd.

Spokesperson Karen Sheperd addresses the crowd.

A participant is seen holding a banner calling for the government to ‘save the economy’.

A participant is seen holding a banner calling for the government to ‘save the economy’.

People signing on the big banner at Padang Song Kheng Hai in Kuching.

People signing on the big banner at Padang Song Kheng Hai in Kuching.