Bersih's nationwide and international rallies a big blow to Najib

Najib's government unsure how to handle a nationwide protest

Malaysian protesters demanding fair elections plan to rally 100,000 people tomorrow without government permission in a test of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s pledge to allow greater freedom ahead of a national vote.

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, or Bersih, vowed to go forward with the demonstration at Kuala Lumpur’s Independence Square, according to steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah. City officials last night ordered the open- air space closed today and tomorrow, risking clashes similar to those that marred a Bersih protest last year.



The order to close the square “doesn’t make any difference,” Maria said by phone today. “We will proceed.”

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"For many years, I felt a sense of helplessness and frustration as I followed Malaysian current affairs and saw the country I grew up in stuck in a downward spiral of poor governance and deteriorating civil liberties and human rights. What really got to me was the complete waste of potential – Malaysia was and remains a beautiful country – rich in natural resources, great weather, fantastic cuisine and diverse culture. It has a small population of 28 million people that could enjoy a world class healthcare and education system if the money spent on hapless vanity projects and siphoned off to fund the multimillionaire lifestyles of government ministers was spent on improving the lives of the rakyat." - Yolanda Augustin

Read Yolanda's letter on why overseas Malaysians are joining in this time

Bersih 3.0 rally in Melbourne

Bersih rallies in 70 countries worldwide

Malaysia's clean election movement goes global in 79 cities

Where to attend a Bersih rally on April 28 

Sin Chew: Malaysian government has much too learn

Lonely Planet: Advice for tourists in KL on April 28