Bersih 5 and the Growing Discontent among the Malays
More than 50,000 people took part in the Bersih 5 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 19 November 2016 calling for fair and clean elections. This was despite threats of violence by an opposing group, the arrest of some of the Bersih movement’s key leaders and the blocking of road access by the police....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ishak Institute, Singapore
2016
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/54092/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/54092/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/54092/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/54092/1/ISEAS_Perspective_2016_67.pdf |
| Summary: | More than 50,000 people took part in the Bersih 5 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 19 November 2016 calling for fair and clean elections. This was despite threats of violence by an opposing group, the arrest of some of the Bersih movement’s key leaders and the blocking of road access by the police.
More significantly, the demonstration showed visibly increased participation by Malays, many of whom were youths. Some of these may have been mobilized or inspired by the Tangkap MO1 (Arrest Malaysian Official 1) rally held in August, organized by university students. Others may have been left-leaning Malay activists.
Factors crucial to the general elections include, the support of Malay
youth, for which social media may be an important battleground; the support of rural Malays, where counteracting UMNO’s rural patronage and money politics will be a major challenge for the opposition, and; the presence of strong and efficient Malay leadership among the opposition parties in all the states.
Much will also depend on the ability of the new opposition parties—Bersatu and Amanah—to swing the support of anti-Najib UMNO members and anti-Hadi PAS followers towards them. It will also rely on the ability of various opposition parties to ensure straight fights in the coming general elections. |
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