13 Facts About Bersih

Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections or Bersih is a coalition of non-governmental organisations which seeks to reform the current electoral system in Malaysia to improve its democracy by ensuring free, clean and fair elections among other reforms.

Idea of Bersih was initiated by five opposition parties in 2005 which later included other NGOs in this as well.

Bersih accused the Election Commission under Prime Minister's Department for manipulating the electoral process to give an unfair advantage to the ruling National Front coalition.

Bersih claimed that the electoral roll was marred by irregularities such as gerrymandering, phantom voters, malapportionment and postal vote frauds.

On 10 November 2007, Bersih organised the first rally with 10,000 to 40,000 turnout and held a public demonstration at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

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Supporters of Bersih were urged to wear yellow T-shirts as a symbol of protest.

Bersih started out as a Joint Action Committee for Electoral Reform which was formed in July 2005.

On Saturday 10 November 2007, Bersih held the first mass rally to make four demands to ensure a clean and fair electoral process in Malaysia:.

Bersih estimated the turnout to be at least 30,000, while the official claimed there were 10,000 protesters.

Ahead of the anticipated 2012 13th general election, Bersih scheduled a second public demonstration at Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2011.

Bersih was unsatisfied with the PSC reports as the existing Election Commission was tasked to carry out the recommendations; many of the recommendations asked for a lengthy implementation period; many allegations of electoral frauds were not acknowledged in the report.

Global Bersih is a movement by Malaysian diaspora communities to lend support to Bersih and its cause.

On 23 November 2006, Bersih issued its first joint communique with the endorsement from 25 non-governmental organisations and 5 political parties:.