With the authorities tightening their grip on tomorrow's Bersih 2.0 rally at Stadium Merdeka, Malaysians all over the world are being asked to rally along at the same time, in the interest of free and fair elections.
Showing solidarity for the movement, the Bersih 2.0 Global Solidarity Network in a statement today called for simultaneous rallies in 24 cities in 15 countries in Europe, East Asia, Australasia and America.
“Wherever we may be, we shall be wearing yellow T-shirts and carrying yellow banners, balloons and placards with peaceful slogans in support of clean and fair elections in Malaysia,” representatives of the global movement said.
“We are speaking out because we live in open democracies where the freedoms of speech and of peaceful assembly and the right to demonstrate are the norm rather than the exception.
“As is the case with the rally in Kuala Lumpur, we intend to gather peacefully and with dignity, and we shall do so without fear of water cannons, tear gas, police intimidation and brutality, or arbitrary arrests for dressing in yellow.
“We, ordinary Malaysian citizens around the world, are supporting Bersih 2.0 because we can and because we should.”
The Bersih 2.0 Global Solidarity Network stressed that the onus was now on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to “fulfill his duties and responsibilities” by acknowledging the “will of the people” and to allow the rally to proceed peacefully.
“With the proper cooperation of all government agencies, we are confident the gathering will be nothing more and nothing less than a peaceful expression of a just and legitimate cause.
“The eyes of the world are now on the prime minister and his government. In this pivotal moment that will surely define his legacy in the eyes of Malaysians as well as citizens and governments the world over, we urge him to rise to the occasion.”
The group urged Najib and his administration to support Bersih 2.0's call for electoral reform and to “respect” the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's advice in showing prudence and fairness in carrying out their duties entrusted to them by the people.
The Bersih 2.0 Global Solidarity Network also urged the inspector-general of police to release the nearly 200 detained in the recent crackdown on the movement, and to stop the “ongoing, systematic harassment” of Bersih 2.0 supporters.
The worldwide rallies are planned in front of Malaysian high commissions and consulates and other locations in major cities in Australia, such as Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, in London, Zurich, Stockholm and Paris among others in Europe, and from New York to Los Angeles across the US.
In Asia, they are being planned in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The complete list of cities involved and their liaison persons has been posted online.