The recent announcement by Bersih 2.0 steering committee chairperson S Ambiga that the planned Saturday street rally will be replaced with a gathering in an enclosed stadium, has sparked off a slew of response from netizens.

Some say it is a let-down for the movement which had gained such momentum and is an affront to the sacrifice of those who have been arrested for their support of the rally.

A few have expressed open dissent at the rally organiser’s decision, fearing that this may mean that they are giving in to the government proclamation that street demonstrations are dangerous.

However, others say that the Bersih 2.0 leadership had to compromise in a difficult situation and did their best in this case. They praised the leadership and urged them to soldier on.

On the other hand, yet others hope that with this compromise, those arrested by police in the crackdown against Bersih will be released and the unilateral ban against Bersih paraphernalia lifted.

Selected comments on Twitter :

shamsuliskandar

Sorry, I hv dissenting opinion.Since when we succumb to 2govt’s propa tht streets demo would bring more harm than good? People’s power !

Naqib_Only

@Ambiga_s bagaimana dgn semua yg ditangkap? Mrk bersusah payah kempen #bersih, ditangkap..

shamsuliskandar

Menteri Hishammudin & KetPolNegara mesti bert/jawab di atas segala penghinaan & tangkapan aktivis2 Bersih. Bebaskn anak2 muda ini sgra !

MyConsti

Release all #Bersih related detainees, cease all unconstitutional harassment, intimidation and violations of fundamental liberties now!

syahredzan

To those doubting #Bersih leadership just cos they agreed to stadium, I ask u to walk a mile in their shoes. If you can fit.

SaifulHamdi

kalau dah buat kat stadium.. Baju kuning dah boleh pakai atau belum? #bersih

Art_Harun

Kat luar stadium bleh bukak gerai jual mafla kuning Bersih tak? Oops, masih diharamkan ke

Klchan3

Now that #bersih has agreed to move rally indoors will PDRM now allow EO detainees to meet their lawyers?

Klchan3

does this mean all those captured, placed in EO will be released? #bersih What about the illegal statuses of tshirts, pamphlets etc?

eekmalahmad

Moga @ambiga_s dan pimpinan @bersih2 lainnya terus menuntut 8 Reformasi Demi Pilihanraya Yang Adil dan Bersih. Mara Terus!!!

Boonyau

“@premesh: Lets have #Bersih in Stadium Merdeka. Time for second independence declaration!”

Selected comments on Facebook .

Sandrea Ng

We are all born with the right to freedom of peaceful assembly hence Bersih needs no legitimation nor endorsement. For me, the ultimate aim of Bersih should not be just to get our points across to the oppressor. We want the people to realize that we DO have the rights to have a stand and to ask for electoral reforms. More importantly, we want to prove that together, we can make changes.

Pei Ling Gan

y disappointed? bersih has just been legitimized/endorsed by the King and PM. better than ra ra ra on the streets, get teared gas, water-cannoned but after a few months everyone forgets about bersih

Pei Ling Gan

the ultimate aim of any civil disobedience is to get ur points across to the oppressor/powers-that-be without violence. Bersih has scored a victory, whether the rally will be held anymore is immaterial. From now on, whenever Bersih speaks, the govt must listen.

Josh Hong

Najib & Gang, in making the stadium offer, you have legitimized the Bersih Movement. It is not illegal after all. So why are you still not apologizing to all the detainees and releasing them? And Bersih leaders, this is not a victory unless and until all those languishing in detention are freed.

Josh Hong

Close to 200 are now detained for all sorts of ridiculous and stupid reasons, yet we are offering to kowtow. I simply cannot face those who have sacrificed so much for this cause with my conscience clear!

Lim Lip Eng

Should I bring my band to perform in the Bersih stadium?

Lim Lip Eng

We should hold Bersih rallies state by state in various stadiums since PM has just legalized it.

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