Bersih rally important, but not a game changer


By Ong Kian Ming
Jul 11, 11 | MalaysiaKini

COMMENT It is far from easy to objectively evaluate the political and electoral impact of the Bersih 2.0 rally in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, especially when one was in the middle of the said rally, receiving ‘presents’ in the form of tear gas canisters from our beloved police force.

But given the huge amount of press attention and public spotlight in the lead-up to and during the rally, it would be remiss not to consider the possible political and electoral repercussions, especially since the first Bersih rally was seen as being instrumental in sparking off the March 2008 electoral tsunami.

It is useful to differentiate between the political impact of the rally – the overall negative backlash against the authorities, the increased level of political awareness among first-time marchers, the effect of social media on overall sentiment – with the electoral impact of the rally – how this backlash is distributed among the different regions and individual parliament and state seats.

My assessment is that the political impact of the rally outweighs the electoral impact of the rally because of the relative lack of violence on the part of the police and the Klang-Valley-focused nature of this campaign.

There was a real possibility that Bersih 2.0 would be a ‘game changer’ in Malaysia’s political history. The over-reaction of the police coupled with the refusal on the part of the prime minister and his home minister to find an agreeable compromise with the organisers of the rally set the scene for a potentially violent showdown.

The potential of as many as 100,000 participants gathering on the streets of KL could have overwhelmed the police and resulted in many acts of unplanned violence and possibly even fatalities among the marchers.

In the end, while the reaction of the police were excessive, especially in light of the peaceful nature of the rallies taking place in different parts of the city, they followed a well-rehearsed playbook of using non-lethal means of dispersing the crowd including teargas, water cannons and selective arrests.

The one unfortunate death which did occur, that of Baharuddin Ahmad, was as a result of a heart condition rather than the direct consequence of a police assault.

There wasn’t a ‘Mohammed Bouzizi’ moment (the Tunisian fruit seller who set himself alight) or the ‘occupation’ of a symbolic location (like Tahrir Square). The police were far more restrained compared to their counterparts in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and Syria.

Lack of violence limits electoral backlash

It is because of this relative lack of violence that limits the electoral backlash against the BN. Please do not misunderstand me here. I am not advocating for acts of self-immolation and provocation that will result in lethal police force being applied as a means of swinging voter sentiment against the ruling coalition.

I am merely pointing to the political reality that the voter backlash is somewhat commensurate with the level of violence displayed by the authorities.

If the authorities had reacted by shooting at the unarmed protesters which would most definitely have resulted in fatalities, the condemnation which would have been heaped on the government would have been much more severe and widespread.

This is not to say that there was no electoral impact as a result of the manner in which the government mismanaged and over-reacted to the demands of the Bersih coalition.

One can be certain that the voters in the Klang Valley who were unnecessarily inconvenienced by the arbitrary roadblocks set up days before the July 9 rally would blame the government and the police rather than Bersih or the opposition parties which were mobilising support for the Bersih rally.

Roadblocks set up in places as far as Dengkil would surely be seen as excessive and not commensurate to the supposed ‘threat’ posed by the Bersih rally.

Klang Valley voters are also much more likely to consume news through alternative media sources and would discount much of the ‘spin’ that was being issued by the mainstream press.

In addition, these voters are also more likely to have friends and family who participated in the rally and can give a first-hand account to contrast the peaceful approach of the marchers with the uncompromising and unreasonable actions taken by the police.

Others outside the Klang Valley who would also have been incensed and taken aback by the police reaction are likely to be urban dwellers with some political interest and knowledge as well as access to online sources of information.

But these are voters who had already voted for the opposition in 2008 and would likely, especially after Bersih 2.0, vote for the opposition in the next general election.

Sure, there may have been some fence-sitters in the urban areas who may have been disillusioned with Pakatan Rakyat after March 2008 who would now not vote for the BN because of Bersih 2.0, but the outcome in these urban seats would be the same as it was in 2008.

Impact likely to be more limited in marginal seats

This negative electoral backlash against the BN will be helpful to the opposition in retaining marginal seats like Hulu Langat, Wangsa Maju and Kuala Langat in Selangor/KL but its impact is likely to be much more limited in marginal Pakatan seats like Padang Serai and Kulim Bandar Baharu in Kedah and in the less urbanised seats of Indera Mahkota in Pahang and Bagan Serai in Perak, just to name a few.

This leads to the question of ‘what’s next’ for Bersih?

The movement has proved its point by showing that a large number of Malaysians can gather, despite the many roadblocks set up by the police, and march peacefully, despite the heavy handed reactions of the police. But a Bersih 3.0 rally is not likely in the near future, at least not before the next general election.

The committee will try to find a more low-key manner to submit the memorandum to the king after which a time of regrouping and reevaluation is needed. It makes sense to leverage on the current momentum by expanding Bersih to areas beyond the Klang Valley.

One of the factors which lessened the political impact of Bersih 2.0 was its inability to mobilise groups to rally for the cause in cities all over Malaysia.

If voters in Johor Baru, Kuantan, Malacca, Kuala Terengganu, Sibu and Sandakan could have seen or experienced the over-reaction of the police with their own eyes (or the eyes of their friends and relatives), the negative electoral backlash against the authorities would have been much more significant.

Key ‘what next’ questions

Whether or not Bersih has the resources and capacity (or even if it wants) to expand its reach is unclear and will be one of the key ‘what next’ questions.

Finally, the leaders of the opposition cannot afford to assume that Bersih 2.0 will be a game changer in the same way as the first Bersih march.

They cannot assume that the negative publicity generated against the authorities will be sufficient to carry them to Putrajaya in the next election.

Focusing on the actions of the authorities during this rally detracts from the other more important objectives of finding suitable candidates and doing the necessary groundwork especially in the vulnerable Pakatan and BN areas.

This rally was an important political event, especially among those who participated and the many more who supported the spirit of this movement, but it is not a game-changer. Real change and reform requires greater sacrifices than just a Saturday afternoon rally.

  1. #1 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 12:40 am

    AmnestyInternational UK interview

    Malaysian police brutality against peaceful protesters

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaYIhpl1s0Q

  2. #2 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 12:48 am

  3. #3 by monsterball on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 12:55 am

    It is the weaponless Malaysians….mostly young Malaysians walking and defying the government that makes me so proud of them.
    It is disobedience without violence against a corrupt government …brave and moving forward..for country and people…that makes Malaysians at home feel doubly proud.
    Najib looking for excuses to declare Emergency Rule failed.
    His Donkey Kong….Ibrahim Ali nonsense failed.
    UMNO Youth failed.
    What else?..lets wait.

  4. #4 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 1:04 am

    Amnesty UK

    Malaysia: Police use brutal tactics against peaceful protestors

    http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=19573

  5. #5 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 1:06 am

  6. #6 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 1:09 am

  7. #7 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 1:11 am

    UN

    Malaysia: UN rights office voices concern about recent crackdown on protesters

    http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39011&Cr=Malaysia&Cr1=

  8. #8 by voice2009 on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 1:14 am

    Violence Erupts in Malaysian Demonstrations: People Will Endure for Unfettered Elections

    http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/violence-erupts-in-malaysian-demonstrations-people1/

  9. #9 by bruno on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 3:07 am

    The Bersih rally was important and it was definitely a game changer.When the fat lady sing’s after the votes are all counted MALAYSIANS WILL KNOW.

  10. #10 by monsterball on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 7:21 am

    Najib ..Hishamuddin….IGP…Police Force…Donkey KongAli…Khairy…provocations…warnings….threatening..did not scare ……People Power.
    Denying is the only way for these corrupted crooks to keep Malaysians guessing….are they guilty or innocent.
    Only idiots and racists trust them.
    BERSIH walk pricks voter conscience.
    They will be the deciders for their futures…the country and people and not be fooled by foolish games…year in year out by the government.

  11. #11 by drngsc on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 8:45 am

    Dear Mr Ong,

    I beg to differ. The late Baharuddin’s death is the result of the demonstration and police arrest. Why,
    1. From all descriptions of the event, and the video footage, Mr Baharuddin probably suffered a heart attack, resulting in Ventricular Fibrillation. Only a post mortem will accurately establish the cause of death. It is well know that excitement and stress precipitates heart attacks.
    2. He was OK, until handcuffed, telling us that the chest pain must have occurred, on or slightly before the police arrest.
    3. He asked for medications, which may have helped. This was denied him.
    4. He struggled to free himself from the handcuffs, in an attempt to survive. This probably aggravated the situation.
    5. No medical help was given. No ambulance came. If he had been defibrillated ( an ambulance would have an AED ( Automatic External Defibrillator ), he would have a good chance of survival.

    At last, I think the Police, either did not understand what was happening or could not care less.

    We need to change the tenant at Putrajaya.

  12. #12 by dagen on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 9:13 am

    Actually we need more than change the tenant in putrajaya. We also need to take putrajaya back from klcc bhd.

  13. #13 by dagen on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 9:18 am

    Ah yes. Mrs Jibby Fatmamaros’ new diamond ring is worth US$24m+. That is about RM73m in our money.

    Check out this site for info on the 10 most expansive diamonds in the world and the gauge for yourselves, people, whether Mrs Jibby Fatmamaros has been cheated.

    http://www.tiptoptens.com/2011/02/14/top-10-most-expensive-diamonds-in-the-world/

  14. #14 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 9:43 am

    The hypothesis that more violence on part of the police would have definitely toppled UMNO/BN is easy logic. If toppling UMNO/BN is the definition of game changing, then yes, Bersih did not achieved that.

    BUT it does not mean that UMNO/BN cannot be toppled. To say that is to underestimate the ability of PR to campaign, to find more political ammunition to go against UMNO/BN. UMNO/BN is no perfect machine and every indication is that its fraying. The truth is because UMNO/BN has not reformed sufficiently, more political ammunition will be likely available. Bersih did not become so big because it was such a popular issue to start with. IT became a big issue because UMNO/BN made it one – all by themselves.

    Similarly, in days to come, there will be more political ammunition for PR to work with. The investigation by French authorities on Scorpene and Altantuya for example. Already Rosmah’s RM73m diamond ring would be sensational if she wore it. The administration has too many hair-brained schemes and something is bound to blow up under pressure.

  15. #15 by best4rakyat on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 - 10:10 am

    人民今后要”黄巾起义”!

    Since UMNO and BN men said BERSIH2.0 is illegal,yellow is illegal and now in Sabah BERSIH is like illegal too.
    We must show otherwise with yellow and clean to prove they are wrong with ‘yellow phobia’ for UMNO even in coming GRE!Continue seeking for the right and liberty to those who was and still stand for it untill the mission complete!

    [Voices from Sabah]
    “Mari mulai sikarang setiap hari Sabtu kita akan berkuningkan apa jua.Langkah ni bulih ingatkan mereka yang kotor dan bodoh.

    Mereka yang tidak BERSIH,BENAR,BERANI menghadapi tuntutan benar rakyat Sabah dan Malaysia.
    Juga pada hari Merdeka dan hari Malaysia akan datang atau hari peringatan perjuangan pemimpin 66 kita akan berkuningkan dengan apa jua cara.Memakai baju kuning,batik kuning atau hiasan kuning,topi kuning apa saja.Kalo bulih Penjaja yang sokong keadilan juga buat stor kuning!

    Apa susah sangat warna kuning dan perkataan BERSIH?Karajaan dan Penguatkuasa apa ni di Malaysia?”

    In the recent Rally have you seen any burning down of cars,vehicles or building?
    Only we had a person is dead because of tear-gas and act by Police forces unfairly executed as in opinion from observer’s statement include ‘BAR’ Malaysia.

    Though we have many and many even support and response from the twitter or facebook and from all places other than Malaysia. The rakyat’s rally is not counted in volume like what has been commented by MCA its leaders and are wrongly accused by them as is untrue for their evil intention.

    We shall prove it to them that many malaysian today is much better non-politically aware of and respect the truth of unity,justice as well as upholding our pledge to the King than their ‘dirty’ political agenda and abuse through the forces unnecessarily!

    Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!

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