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Saturday, 25 June 2011

Bersih 2.0: Day of arrests

Yesterday saw a spate of arrests – all in connection with Bersih, and more police action follows today. 
 
Last night, Khairul Anuar (also known as Jonah) was arrested for wearing a yellow Bersih T-shirt at a gerai in Uptown Shah Alam near the site of a proposed Bersih 2.0 road-show event. Jonah was questioned about each of the eight Bersih demands before he was released. The Bersih 2.0 event, to raise awareness of the coalition’s demands, had been planned for 10.00pm in Uptown. But Bersih said in a statement it could not proceed as planned due to the heavy presence of the police, who had cordoned off the whole area surrounding Uptown, blocking organisers and participants.

According to lawyer Latheefa Koya, another Pas member was also arrested in Shah Alam. He was carrying a bundle of Bersih T-shirts.

Earlier yesterday, seven activists from Parti Sosialis Malaysia were arrested for leafleting in Kluang in connection with their “Udalah” campaign. The police deemed the materials to be seditious. Among those arrested were Letchimi Devi, Josephine, Shanta, Jaya, William and Saravanan.

The police are now calling key members of the Bersih steering committee to report to the police station. Six have been called: Bersih 2.0 steering committee chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah, Teresa Kok, Hishamuddin Rais, Lawyers for Liberty cordinator Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan. Not yet sure what their response is going to be.

Bersih had earlier announced confirmed solidarity rallies in Seoul, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

For the record, here is a screen shot of a Star (Malay version) poll on the Bersih rally in the mstar.com.my website. Thanks to the reader who captured the screen-shot on 7 June and sent it in:

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