The 2011 Bersih 2.0 rally (also called the Walk for Democracy) is a planned demonstration in Kuala Lumpur to be held on 9 July as a follow-up to the 2007 Bersih rally. The rally, organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), is supported by Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition of the three largest opposition parties in Malaysia but has been deemed illegal by the government.
Bersih, chaired by former president of the Bar Council Ambiga Sreenevasan, are pushing the Election Commission of Malaysia(EC) to ensure free and fair elections in Malaysia. They have demanded that the EC clean up the electoral roll, reform postal voting, use indelible ink, introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period, allow all parties free access to the media and put an end to electoral fraud.
Public gatherings without police permits are illegal in Malaysia. The police have vowed to stop any rallies from taking place on the day. Having originally planned to march through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, Bersih have decided to hold their rally at Merdeka Stadium after consultations with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia's head of state.
Two counter-rallies, led by Malay nationalist movement Perkasa and the youth division of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), were initially announced. Perkasa have called off their counter-rally due to inability to secure a venue and permit.
Supporters of Bersih claim that demands for electoral reform made during the 2007 demonstration have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile, detractors of Bersih and supporters of the Perkasa and UMNO Youth counter-rallies have dismissed Bersih's demands for electoral reform as well as accused Bersih of, among others, harbouring an opposition political agenda, attempting acoup d'état, and threatening to disrupt public order.
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