Police have arrested Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and the secretariat secretary Mandeep Singh.
On 18 Nov, a police team from Bukit Aman as well as officers from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SMM) raided the Bersih office in Petaling Jaya about 3pm.
According to a tweet from Lawyers for Liberty, Mandeep and Maria will be detained at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
Malaysia Kini reported that local as well as international organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) have expressed fears that Bersih organisers are being subject to threats and harassment ahead of their planned rally in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on 19 Nov.
Hundreds Malaysian citizens are angered and have voiced their opinions on Malaysiakini’s Facebook:
Ainan Roza Rahim All the more reason BERSIH should go on!! I agree, dont bow to their pressure – fight and fight and fight until everyone gets the right Jennifer Bong God be with u n bless u. Don’t give up bersih ppl. Press on….
Azmi Abu Bakar Save Malaysia from corruptions and dirty hands
Ah Beng PLEASE SHARE. MAKE SURE WE ALL JOIN THE BERSIH MARCH TOMORROW. THEY WILL NOT INTIMIDATE US WHO ARE JUST ASKING FOR A CLEAN GOVERNMENT. THAT IS OUR RIGHT. JOM JUMPA BESOK
Summer Lane umnO in GREAT FEAR!!!!!!! Not surprising they arrest Maria & Mandeep!!! DESPERATE umnO!!!! This show that umnO YoU are very very CORRUPTED !!! SHAMELESS!! DO Not be afraid when Bersih it’s CLEAN!!!!
Alex Lim I think of not going previously. NOW AFTER READING THIS , I WILL SURELY GO TM !!!!!!
Ah Beng WE ALL MUST JOIN BERSIH TOMORROW. CAN’T LET THEM INTIMIDATE US WHO WANT A CLEAN GOVERNMENT.
Bolly Tia Shameful. Bersih will get a better support from the law abiding peoples of all races & religions after today harassment by the authorities. The peoples are with those arrested. Stay strong
Vincent Te This is more reasons why BERSIH 5 must go on tomorrow this law no longer protect the rakyats only the one who is in control …no longer a democratic country
Sonia Charles We heard the earth moved under their feet….trembling down.You grab one two….it’s not going to stop. Dont underestimate the Human Spirit. Hundreds thousands will sprout out onto the streets. You just validate their reasons why they will be there.Haiz!
Ricky Poh Their action actually are helping the bersih event cause it will anger and motivate those unsure to join will definitely join the bersih tomorrow!
Nitya Varshini Fellow Malaysians let’s not vent our frustration here rather let’s go out tomorrow to show the corrupted system that we want a clean govt! A clean Malaysia! Nothing can stop us!
Henry Kon Honestly the police & their unfit head once again this time have finally proven to the Rakyat and their credibility, trust have deteriorated. Corrupted government under the corrupted regime
Philips Tan With their arrest, the more we must participate in Bersih 5.
Kf Wong So shamful of u UMNO. Abusing power n corrupt tat all umno can do.
Sam Goh Rakyat Malaysia who love this Beloved Malaysia lets show hands tomorrow and join Bersih to show those a Corrupted Regime we really wants to change this government
Weng Seng Lawan tetap Lawan (Fight go on fight), rain or shine BERSIH 5 will be there. Hope this will make a history in Malaysia
Mohamad Afiq Yusra Kotor gila cara najib nie ! (Dirty crazy is Najib’s way !) Worse pm ever in the world !
Kean Guan Tan Whatever tricks they do, we will still be there. Long live Bersih
Mark Chung The bersih 5 movement will still go on without delay, najib and hes useless cabinet, ag, igp along with all the umno bangsat must go down!
Logendran Solayan Shameful act of the enforcement agencies and corrupted government
Shamila Lamberger You arresting her makes us more in the spirit to turun tomorrow…SEE YOU ALL THERE….
SJ Bonkers By them arresting her, it would not reduce the crowd tomorrow, it fact those hesitating will now definitely go. Thank you for the arrest.
Stephen Wong The Spirit of justice and fairness cannot be stopped by arresting the leaders . Only when justice is done will the Spirit rest.
Yong Suet Lee We all out ! You can’t scared us!
Long Cha There will be #Bersih fight!!
Lee Khim Seng With this arrest anger and hatred have heightened.
Alyssa Tee Yee Fee We are UNSTOPPABLE!!!
Dickson Ta There won’t be turning back , Bersih still go a head even Maria n Mandeep arrested. What about j jamban tongkol kayu , is he above the law??????? He makes too much violent n threatened people .
Kit Hoe Cheong You catch 2, 200000 more will turn up!
Sim Monk UMNO! Your arrest Maria Chan will stop tomorrow Bersih rally, for me I don’t think so, and tomorrow you will see the power from Rakyat.
