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I am very proud to have been part of my nation's history where the ordinary citizens were awakened to take true ownership of our own country.

Yes! I was there at the BERSIH 2.0 rally. There have been many reports about the police brutalities and the unnecessary use of force by the authorities to disperse a peaceful crowd standing up for the democratic right of all in the nation, and being a first hand eye witness, I can attest that these reports are accurate.

And yet, there are many mainstream newspaper that has carried reports that are filled with inaccuracies (tantamount to lies), like only 6,000 showed up for the rally (as you can observe from the videos and many pictures here, that all these are lies), and that we were violent (also false), and that we had stormed a hospital because we are rowdy (completely false!).

The accusation that the BERSIH 2.0 participants stormed the hospital  and the police had to act to protect the hospital is completely false. Let me recount from my first hand experience (as I was one of the dots on the Jalan Pudu crowd).

We were TRAPPED by the FRUs and police force on Jln Pudu. There was a contingent of FRUs at Dataran MBB shooting tear gas & water canon at us and another contingent of police personnel arresting people running in their direction at the other end of Jln Pudu from Swiss Garden Hotel. So, the scene of tens of thousands of people sandwiched on the road, just standing there while the brute of the Malaysian FRU and police force was bearing down on us demanding us to BERSURAI (Disperse), where did you want us to go? And while we were trying to get them to allow us an option, the peaceful crowd was chanting "WE WANT PEACE", multiple tear-gas canisters descended on us (the ordinary, un-armed, peaceful citizens) forcing many to run from the canisters. Remember, we were sandwiched between 2 contingent of FRU and police units at both ends of one road. Those who ran towards them were beaten, and arrested. The rest of us had to run into shops and whatever little cover we could find to obtain some non-toxic air to breathe! The result of this, a lot of us ran into the hospital compound (me being one of them). And the next thing that happened shocked me, the authorities shot 2 canisters of tear gas into the hospital compound! I was completely disgusted by this exhibition of blatant disregard for the purpose of hospitals! And these are the authorities that we are suppose to trust with the safety of our country!?!?

In the meantime, the BERSIH 2.0 participants were trying to "bersurai" as demanded by the police, but where were we to go to leave?! And by then, I wanted to go home, was tired and with 2 rounds of intense tear-gassing and water canons, I reckon I have done my duty as an ordinary Malaysian guarding the sanctity of the election process. But I could not leave... so, a number of us were forced to climb the fence behind the hospital so that we can comply with the wishes of the authorities to disperse. The men were very very helpful and considerate, they helped build a make shift stairs for the women, children and aged to cross over the fence. That was how I "escaped" the brutal police and the violent FRUs.

One of the major side-benefit I got from taking part in this rally is my changed view towards my Malay brothers. In the heat and choke of the tear-gas, they had the discipline, consideration and presence of mind to take care of the aged, women and children first. And while they were being chased down by the police and FRUs, I witnessed remarkable self-control where the entire crowd did not rise to beat down the police as a group of police were beating down one person (classic police brutality).

I am also very glad to say that the Chinese participation in this round has drastically increased! Well done! The rest of Malaysia has awoken from their BN-induced stupor.

The overwhelming Malay presence on the side of BERSIH 2.0 was great, and let me just quote what I overheard a Malaysian of Chinese-Indian descent say "The malays deserve to rule this country, they really love Malaysia!" And I am proud to say that if anyone in the crowd with us will become the next PM, we will be in better hands that we are now!

God bless Malaysia!

BERSIH 2.0

Are you walking tomorrow?
I am.

If you are... good on you.
If you are not... its ok. I understand and it is perfectly acceptable that you have made a decision that the walk is not worth the inconvenience and risk of life and limb. With all the recent crackdown in the run-up to July 9, it is really intimidating.

But there is one thing that you could do as you go around doing your weekend chores & errands, wear yellow! Anything yellow, not necessarily a BERSIH 2.0 shirt, but a yellow t-shirt.

Why?

Because, you believe in a clean and fair democracy.
Because, you have had enough of the corruption and the injustices in the country
Because, you know better.

So, wear yellow and celebrate with us. Celebrate the awakening of a nation, celebrate the courage of all of us in each of us!