The number of groups, each with a different motive, declaring their intention to hold a rally on July 9, when election watchdog Bersih is due to hold a peaceful gathering, is expected to rise as Prime Minister Najib Razak hits the panic button.
His hold on the country weakening, Najib sees the Bersih's Walk for Democracy as a slap in the face for his leadership. Despite piling pressure and refusing to issue police permits, he has failed to scare the group into abandoning its Walk for Democracy and call for electoral reforms.
On Thursday, UMNO Youth was the latest to throw its hat into the ring. Professing the same love for democracy as sister unit Perkasa, the Youth wing of Najib's party announced plans to march to the King's palace using the same route as Bersih. But political rivals warn the wing's motives, just like Perkasa's, may be anything but democratic.
Pakatan Rakyat scoffed at Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin for not having the courage to make a stand on the existing electoral system and bowing to pressure from Najib to organize a counter-march, which they suspect was aimed at disrupting the Bersih rally.
"Anyone can march, that is not the issue. But electoral fraud in Malaysia is so massive that whoever who says they support current system immediately shows they are closing an eye. So for Khairy, this is a sad and defining moment for him and UMNO Youth," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
Rally to go on despite the threats
Bersih is demanding electoral reforms and has sought to meet the Election Commission over a slew of proposals including the use of indelible ink, a cleanup of the electoral rolls, fair access to TV and mainstream media coverage for both government and opposition candidates.
Malaysia is expected to snap polls within the next few months.
However, Khairy said UMNO Youth supported the current electoral system. The wing also plans to march along the same route to the Istana as the Bersih group, although Khairy refused to acknowldege the wing's decision had anything to do with Bersih.
"Very odd that they choose same road, same day, same month, same time but don't know anything about Bersih 2.0. It is typical of UMNO and we warn them, don't cause trouble for the others," PAS MP for Kuala Krai Hatta Ramli told Malaysia Chronicle.
Meanwhile, PAS Youth has vowed to support the Bersih campaign, which they pledged will carry on "no matter what".
"Even if they lodge 1000 police reports, they will not succeed in putting out the zeal shown by the youths to demand justice and transparency for the country's democratic system, more so when justice and transparency are also part of the Islamic demand," PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Tantawi said in a statement.
Catching up with Perkasa
On Thursday, after an UMNO youth meeting, Khairy announced that they would join Bersih and Perkasa on July 9.
"We are supporting the present electoral system and want to work with the (Election Commission) to improve it further,” Khairy was reported as saying.
“This has nothing to do with Bersih. We want to make our stand on democracy”.
The Youth gathering was also to prove that the people's voice was not monopolised by the opposition, he added.
Police have already announced that they will not issue permits for any rallies on July 9. It is not clear if UMNO Youth will join in the Perkasa procession against Bersih, or march separately.
But Khairy has long been accused of neglecting his role as the UMNO Youth Chief, which traditionally adopts an aggressive ultra-Malay stand. News that Perkasa was taking part may have pressured Khairy and his unit to offer a similar undertaking.
The Bersih rally is expected to be massive, and a successful march would embarrass Prime Minister Najib, who has been insisting that the electoral system is functioning fine.
- Malaysia Chronicle
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