Despite repeated warnings and threats by the authorities, some 100,000 people defied orders not to participate in processions towards Stadium Merdeka for an opposition rally.
Many protestors interviewed said that their act of civil disobedience was necessary because they had to exercise their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and show Malaysians that they have to overcome the culture of fear instilled by the authorities.
Chew Lai Ching, a 35-year-old mother decided to ignore police instructions not to bring children to the rally.
Instead, her whole family came along, including a three-year-old and a six-month old, all dressed in green which has become symbolic with Malaysia's rapidly growing environmental movement.
“I need to let my children know that we are fighting for them and for their future,” she told Malaysiakini when met during the march.
Chew said she had wanted to join earlier rallies but was unable to do so as she needed to take care of her children.
“This time, however, I knew it will be a peaceful rally,” she said.
Many protestors interviewed said that their act of civil disobedience was necessary because they had to exercise their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and show Malaysians that they have to overcome the culture of fear instilled by the authorities.
Chew Lai Ching, a 35-year-old mother decided to ignore police instructions not to bring children to the rally.Instead, her whole family came along, including a three-year-old and a six-month old, all dressed in green which has become symbolic with Malaysia's rapidly growing environmental movement.
“I need to let my children know that we are fighting for them and for their future,” she told Malaysiakini when met during the march.
Chew said she had wanted to join earlier rallies but was unable to do so as she needed to take care of her children.
“This time, however, I knew it will be a peaceful rally,” she said.
Celebrity endorsement
Echoing Chew was Suzilawani Mohd, 32, who brought a child to the rally together with her husband Naveed Ghalam Rasool.
“Last time I might be afraid because of the tear gas and water cannons,” said Suzilawani.
Gerak Khas actress Abby Abadi, a mother of three, was also spotted among the supporters of the Royalti movement, which is a group demanding that the federal government honour an agreement to pay the Kelantan government oil royalty.
Dressed in a purple headscarf, she took photographs with the movement members in the KLCC area and was a popular target for photographers.
Abby told reporters that she hoped there would be no repeat of trouble seen during the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“From what I can see, everybody wants to change, including the police and civil servants, whose eyes are now open.
“Everybody wants change in a good way. We need to use our power to choose well in the coming general election,” she said.
“Last time I might be afraid because of the tear gas and water cannons,” said Suzilawani.
Gerak Khas actress Abby Abadi, a mother of three, was also spotted among the supporters of the Royalti movement, which is a group demanding that the federal government honour an agreement to pay the Kelantan government oil royalty.
Dressed in a purple headscarf, she took photographs with the movement members in the KLCC area and was a popular target for photographers.Abby told reporters that she hoped there would be no repeat of trouble seen during the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“From what I can see, everybody wants to change, including the police and civil servants, whose eyes are now open.
“Everybody wants change in a good way. We need to use our power to choose well in the coming general election,” she said.
Marginalised groups
Unlike previous rallies, there were a sizeable number of disabled people in attendance.
Unlike previous rallies, there were a sizeable number of disabled people in attendance.
One of them was Abdul Hakim Fauzi, 20, who was brought to the stadium by his family.
His father Mohd Fauzi Jalil (in orange t-shirt), 49, explained that his son was hit by a motorcycle in Kluang on the eve of Bersih 3.0 last year is was unable to speak.
His father Mohd Fauzi Jalil (in orange t-shirt), 49, explained that his son was hit by a motorcycle in Kluang on the eve of Bersih 3.0 last year is was unable to speak.
Many senior citizens were also spotted among the crowd.
One of them was Osman Mamat, 65, from Maran, Pahang who said he is happy to be part of the rally as he wanted to demand for justice.
“For the sake of justice, it doesn’t matter how far I have to walk. I am not feeling unwell. I am truly here for the cause.”
Some participants flew all the way from Sabah and Sarawak to make sure that their community was represented at the event.
Abdul Momin (in sunglasses), 43, said it was the first time he is in Kuala Lumpur to participate in a rally.
"I come here because I want to show that Sabahans are part of the cause for change."
“For the sake of justice, it doesn’t matter how far I have to walk. I am not feeling unwell. I am truly here for the cause.”
Some participants flew all the way from Sabah and Sarawak to make sure that their community was represented at the event. Abdul Momin (in sunglasses), 43, said it was the first time he is in Kuala Lumpur to participate in a rally.
"I come here because I want to show that Sabahans are part of the cause for change."
The former Umno member said he has joined Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah led by Beaufort MP Lajim Ukim, who defected from Umno last year.
Making new friends
Some participants found new friendship during the rally.
Eric Chong from Kuala Lumpur and Raymond Toh from Penang, two complete strangers, became friends when they got into a conversation while purchasing the rally t-shirts and merchandises yesterday morning.
Chong, 60, who works in a factory, is a frequent rally goer. He said both of them have vowed to attend future mammoth rallies together.
"We share the same views, we are brothers," said Chong.
Meanwhile, Toh, 38, a wholesaler, said the two will exchange contacts.
The duo proudly declared that they were at the rally at their own expenses.
Eric Chong from Kuala Lumpur and Raymond Toh from Penang, two complete strangers, became friends when they got into a conversation while purchasing the rally t-shirts and merchandises yesterday morning.
Chong, 60, who works in a factory, is a frequent rally goer. He said both of them have vowed to attend future mammoth rallies together."We share the same views, we are brothers," said Chong.
Meanwhile, Toh, 38, a wholesaler, said the two will exchange contacts.
The duo proudly declared that they were at the rally at their own expenses.
Curiosity
Costumes are also becoming increasingly popular in opposition rallies, and the People's Uprising Rally was no exception.
One particularly eye-cathing costume was donned by Chua Beng Hooi, 47, a fisherman from Taiping.
He said that his version of a hazardous materials suit symbolised his support for the green movement.
There were also some people who witnessed parts of the rally from afar.
There were also some people who witnessed parts of the rally from afar.
One of them was Firdaus Abdul Rahman, who spotted watching a march at Brickfields.
He said was unaware of the issues behind the march but still enjoyed the spectacle.
“It is enjoyable to watch, but I do not know the issues. I am just an observer, it looks like good fun,” he said.
Brisk business
Contrary to previous reports that many shop owners were affected by similar rallies in the past, many traders told Malaysiakini that they made a handsome profit from the influx of people.
A sundry shop owner who just wanted to known as Iskandar was aware about the rally and decided to keep his shop open.
“I did not close shop today, because they are not disrupting my business."
“I did not close shop today, because they are not disrupting my business."
Hawkers closer to the stadium had an even better time. For example, Mansur Ahmad, 56, had sold over 500 kebabs when met byMalaysiakini at around 1.45pm.
"Today, I made RM1,000," he beamed.
His daughter Faeza Mansor, 28, operated a soup noodle business beside the kebab stall. She said business had been unusually good.
She estimated that she had sold 1,000 bowls of noodles sold by lunch time.
"My sister doesn't even want to mince the beef anymore. She is too tired of doing it!" she joked.
"Today, I made RM1,000," he beamed.
His daughter Faeza Mansor, 28, operated a soup noodle business beside the kebab stall. She said business had been unusually good.
She estimated that she had sold 1,000 bowls of noodles sold by lunch time.
"My sister doesn't even want to mince the beef anymore. She is too tired of doing it!" she joked.
Cops praised
Contrary to previous rallies where police was blamed for causing chaos and assaulting the public, yesterday's participants were thankful of the police who had facilitated the rally well.
Malaysiakini observed that some participants were shaking hands and posing for pictures with the men and women in blue in appreciation of their service outside Merdeka Stadium.
Contrary to previous rallies where police was blamed for causing chaos and assaulting the public, yesterday's participants were thankful of the police who had facilitated the rally well.
Malaysiakini observed that some participants were shaking hands and posing for pictures with the men and women in blue in appreciation of their service outside Merdeka Stadium.
One rally participant from Sungai Petani was spotted thanking the police before rushing off to take a bus home, an the police replied with a warm smile.
“The police were good today. They did not disrupt our rally compared to the past,” he said.
“The police were good today. They did not disrupt our rally compared to the past,” he said.
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