In Bersih vs Jamal’s red shirts, who won in Sabak Bernam?

Bersih and red shirts leader Jamal Md Yunos both claimed victory in Sabak Bernam today, at the end of a four-hour convoy from Teluk Intan, Perak.

Bersih claimed it was successful for having reached Sabak Bernam despite the red shirts’ efforts to prevent them from doing so.

Jamal however, said the red shirts had been successful in other ways.

“We successfully prevented them from going to villages and other areas where they had planned to go,” Jamal told reporters after their respective rallies ended.

Earlier in his speech, he also noted how Bersih was boxed in at the Sabak Bernam stadium where they could only talk to themselves.

Based on Malaysiakini’s observations, Jamal’s claims of success is not without merit.

The Bersih convoy in Teluk Intan was split into two teams, and the one Malaysiakini followed only made one stop in Kampung Chui Chak, Perak where both teams converged.

There they addressed a small crowd, only about a dozen of whom were not part of the convoy or from an opposition party.

Their plans to stop at other locations, including Hutan Melintang, were cancelled following delays caused by Jamal’s impromptu blockade at the Teluk Intan-Bidor road.

Instead they went straight to Sabak Bernam where they were indeed somewhat boxed in at the stadium, and all the 200 in attendance were either part of the convoy or with the Selangor team welcoming them.

In this sense, Jamal may have indeed succeeded in his goals, giving him the win.

However, Bersih may have won the moral battle, after red shirts supporters kicked and pelted a Bersih supporter with eggs.

The incident has caused an uproar on social media, with many netizens slamming the incident.

The Bersih convoys are being held nationwide in an effort to boost support for their Nov 19 rally.

The red shirts have vowed to fight them every step of the way. - Mkini