![Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah says the movement never pays rally goers, contrary to reports. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 21, 2015.](http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/assets/uploads/articles/MARIA_CHIN_BERSIH_050815_TMISETH_05.jpg)
Electoral watchdog, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections' (Bersih) ability to collect more than RM1.2 million in 10 days from donations and sales of T-shirts indicates public support towards the upcoming Bersih 4 rally.
Its chairman, Maria Chin Abdullah, said the amount was more than the movement had expected, adding that the collection was far better than the Bersih 3.0 rally in 2012.
"The donation is reflective of the public's support for us and our cause. As a matter of fact, it is three times more that our collection in the last rally (Bersih 3.0)," she told The Malaysian Insider.
Last night, Bersih 2.0, via its official Facebook account, had announced the total raised since the campaign was launched on August 10.
"The latest figure from donations and sales of T-shirts is RM1,221,419.02. We wish to thank all those who contributed to us.
"To those who have yet to do so, keep the donation coming!"
According to Maria, apart from using it for the rally on August 29 and 30, the fund would also be used to finance its other efforts, such as the campaign against redelineation exercise in Sarawak.
As for the allegation by a group of Malay non-governmental organisations, led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos today, participants would be paid RM300 each, Maria said it had never paid any rally goer.
The group, calling themselves Gabungan NGO-NGO Melayu, had even lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters this afternoon and demanded the rally organiser to explain from where its funding came.
"We do not pay people (laughs). In fact, we are asking people to bring their own food, water, blankets and sleeping bags.
"We do not believe in such approach. We believe the public is more rational and such has never been the culture of the participants who come for the rally," Maria said.
Apart from Kuala Lumpur, the Bersih 4 rally will also be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak as well as major cities worldwide.
It is demanding clean and fair elections, a corrupt-free government, right to protest, strengthening parliamentary democracy and saving the economy.
The rally is to last for 34 hours.
Dubbed the "Democracy Festival", it will also see performances, workshops and community talks overnight.
Kuala Lumpur police, however, have declared the rally a no-go, citing City Hall's decision not to allow protesters on to Dataran Merdeka which is the site of Merdeka Day celebrations on August 31.
![](http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/assets/uploads/articles/GRAPHIC-BERSIH4_ENGLISH-DANIEL-20082015jpg.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.