The Malaysian government is carrying out a mass crackdown on BERSIH 2.0's march calling for free and fair elections that is to be held on the 9th of July 2011. At the time of writing over a hundred people have been called in and arrested by the police. Ordinary Malaysians who support the movement are being harassed and intimidated. The Malaysian government has warned all Malaysian media not to publicise the march and ordered the media to advise people not to attend.

BERSIH is a Malay word that literally translates into 'Clean'. BERSIH is a civil society led movement comprising of 62 NGOs demanding for free and fair elections in Malaysia. BERSIH's first public march in November 2007 saw some 50,000 Malaysians gathering to demand clean and fair elections.

Now almost 3 ½ years later with electoral irregularities still rampant, the aims of BERSIH continue to be relevant. This year, Malaysians are planning to gather yet again for a peaceful march on the 9th of July to demand for the fulfillment of BERSIH 2.0's eight demands; to clean up the electoral roll, to reform postal voting, to use indelible ink, to establish a minimum campaign period of 21 days, to ensure free and fair access to the media, to strengthen public institutions, to get rid of corruption and to put a stop to dirty politics.

Due to this BERSIH 2.0 has been on the receiving end of much hostility by the Malaysian government and Malaysians who fear that free elections could jeopardise their ill-earned comfortable positions. Death threats have been issued to members of the Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0. As of 1st July 2011, more than 100 people have been hauled in by the police for questioning and have been arrested. 30 of them remain in detention including 9 who have been locked up in solitary confinement and denied access to their family and friends. All the arrests are based on trumped up and baseless allegations of spreading communism, inciting sedition, organizing illegal assemblies and some are being arrested for the crime of wearing yellow or having anything with the word ‘BERSIH’ on it.

Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution affords citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Notwithstanding this the Malaysian government has threatened BERSIH 2.0 organisers and participants with the possibility detention without trial under the Malaysian Internal Security Act. The police have also conducted raids at civil society offices and confiscated materials that they alledge are involved in the preparation of an illegal rally.

The Malaysian Home Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein has outlawed the iconic yellow BERSIH 2.0 t-shirts and declared that anyone in possesion of one can be detained. The Malaysian police have further gone on to say that anyone wearing yellow that can be linked to the rally can be arrested.

Write to the Prime Minister of Malaysia today, and tell him that all citizens of Malaysia should be accorded the right to carry out peaceful assemblies as enshrined in the Malaysian Federal Constitution. Also call on him to order for all those who have been arrested to be released pending their appearance in court. Finally make it clear that he should put a stop to the police abusing their powers and arresting Malaysian citizens who are merely exercising their constitutional rights.

Help us walk peacefully this July 9th for a future of fair and clean elections.