Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 14^th July 2011: 

On 709 Bersih 1Malaysia come of age – Let 716 be another historic day when Malaysians begin to wear yellow every Saturday as the first step in the Long March towards A Clean Malaysia

On 709, the Bersih 1Malaysia generation came of age, where Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region, gender or age overcame fear to come together for a peaceful demonstration of their love, loyalty and patriotism to king and country and their resolve and commitment to bring about change where there is clean elections, trustworthy politics and incorrupt national governance.

Let 716 be another gold-lettered day in Malaysian history when Malaysians all over the country and the world diaspora begin to wear yellow every Saturday until:

1. the PSM6 namely Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, PSM deputy chairperson M Saraswathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sukumaran, Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan, and Youth leader Sarat Babu detained under Emergency Ordinance are released;

2. The ban on Bersih lifted;

3. Barisan Nasional government’s xanthophobia (fear of yellow) ended; and

4. The implementation of the eight Bersih 2.0 demands for electoral reforms such as a clean electoral roll; postal ballot reform; use of indelible ink; free and fair campaign period and media access; end to corruption and dirty politics.

Let 716 this Saturday be another historic day when Malaysians begin to wear yellow every Saturday as the first step in the Long March towards A Clean Malaysia.

The Bersih stories should be compulsory reading for the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the entire Cabinet, the Inspector-General of Police and the entire police force so that they can learn, understand and appreciate how ordinary Malaysians acted in an extraordinary manner on 709, how they overcame their uncertainty, helplessness and fear in the face of threats of violence, riots and even another May 13, mass arrests, indiscriminate police firing of teargas and water cannons, to discover a common bond as Malaysians transcending race, religion, region, age or gender united in loyalty and patriotism to the King and country to save the country from rot and corruption for the people and future generations.

If the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet colleagues are not moved by the Bersih stories as to embrace the extraordinary tales of ordinary Malaysians on 709, then the Prime Minister and the Barisan Nasional can forget about the 1Malaysia slogan and the future of the coalition government, for they have clearly decided to be on the wrong side of history.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor