Bersih 3.0 'now a security issue', says KL mayor

Bersih 3.0 'now a security issue', says KL mayor

Nigel Aw
12:41PM Apr 27, 2012

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has passed the buck to the police, saying that Bersih's insistence on holding its rally at the historic Dataran Merdeka has “become a security issue”.
KL mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail (left) said today this meant the police should intervene to assist DBKL to uphold the law.
"Now it appears there is a confrontation between what they (Bersih) want and what is not permitted by law, between those who want to rally and outsiders who are opposed to it.
"I can say that there is now an element of security," Ahmad Fuad said at the DBKL headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

In light of this, Ahmad Fuad said he will be meeting with Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh later today to determine their course of action in a joint operation.

‘DBKL to police: You know what to do’
“When there is a security issue, it is under the jurisdiction of the police and the police must assist DBKL.
“Even though from the statements the police have issued... I believe that the police are always ready (to assist us)," he said.
In contrast to the previous Bersih rally on July 9 last year, the police have adopted a hands-off approach.
Admitting that DBKL’s manpower was limited, he added that the police should know what has to be done.
“If the police provide us with large manpower, then perhaps we will not even require DBKL officers, but if the police tell us to handle it ourselves... then we will see how large the crowd is on that day,” he said.
Ahmad Fuad added that at a meeting with Bersih leaders on April 25, the group had made clear to him if Dataran Merdeka was  prohibited the venue as their rally site, they would sit on the roads.
‘Street sit-in is not peaceful protest’
“If they sit on the roads then it is no longer a peaceful rally, how can they guarantee that nothing unfortunate will happen?” he said.
He also criticised Bersih for rejecting the alternative venue of Stadium Merdeka offered to them on the grounds that there would not be enough time to inform protesters.
“If they cannot even inform their supporters, how are they going to control the large crowd that they claim will come to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow?” he said.
Asked about the possibility of  confrontation with Bersih supporters tomorrow, Ahmad Fuad said DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim’s statement that the rally would bring more bad than good would rightly reflect the situation.

“I don’t want to comment but from what Tunku Abdul Aziz said, it is a scenario that could happen,” he said.

Tunku Abdul Aziz had yesterday broke ranks with party members, expressing concern that the Bersih demonstration may lead to chaos.

Ahmad Fuad added that as of now, there are no plans to close any roads but if it were to be done, the likely ones to be affected would be Jalan Raja, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Hishammuddin and Jalan Lebuh Pasar.

EC amendments alone enough to justify Bersih 3.0

EC amendments alone enough to justify Bersih 3.0

Ambiga Sreenevasan
9:32AM Apr 27, 2012

COMMENT I note from the Malaysiakini report ‘I voted for removal of polling agents, says Khairy’, that after our debate on Wednesday, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin made further statements to the press regarding the Election Offences (Amendment) Bill 2012 which was passed by Parliament on April 19.
I would like to comment on some of the issues he raised to the press that he had not addressed during the debate.
We must be very clear about the far reaching effects of these amendments that stop agents of candidates from being in the election booth.
The amendment removes entirely the only effective check on phantom and illegal voters.  
The candidate’s agents can detect anything suspicious relating to the voters as they go through the booth in the polling stations. Their ICs can be scrutinised here and they will have visual confirmation of the voter.
The right of a candidate to have his or her agents within the polling stations is therefore vital to ensure oversight of the electoral process.
The unholy haste with which the amendments were rushed through Parliament on the last day of its sitting without proper consultation raises many questions.
When asked about the purported trouble being created by the election agents, which was the basis of the amendment, no evidence of it was provided in Parliament. 

The response that polling agents could still set up booths 50 metres away from the polling stations is no answer at all. Fifty metres is over 160 feet! It is impossible for agents to "monitor suspicious voters" from that distance.
This will now also reduce the effect of indelible ink as no one can see from that distance if the finger of a person who has voted is marked.
Although polling agents inside the polling stations are still allowed, they are placed too far from the voters to detect anything suspicious.

Why EC did not inform PSC on changes?
Another question that remains unanswered is why did the Election Commission not disclose its proposal to amend section 26A of the Election Offences Act to the Parliamentary Select Committee?
If it had such a problem with the agents, this was the best place to raise it.
Against the backdrop of the persistent and unexplained problems with the electoral roll, this utter lack of openness by the Election Commission, combined with the speed with which the amendments were passed through Parliament, only increases suspicions about electoral fraud and the public’s loss of confidence in the independence and integrity of the commission.
This amendment done in this manner is reason enough for Bersih 3.0.

Umno affiliation makes EC duo partisans

Umno affiliation makes EC duo partisans

Terence Netto
7:28PM Apr 27, 2012

COMMENT Referees must not only act impartially but must be seen to be so.
Their bona fides as neutral interlocutors, favouring no side in enforcing the rules, must be beyond question. Otherwise their position as referee is untenable.
The old saw that justice must not only be done but seen to be done applies to any role requiring the mediation of a person vested with the task of holding the scales between competing interests in a balanced way.
In these roles, the appearance of being fair and doing what is fair are indivisible aspects of the same function, the one dovetailing nicely with the other - a seamless garment with no folds.
By these standards, the present chairman and secretary of the Election Commission (EC), Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (above) and Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (right) respectively, now find their positions untenable.
The fact they are Umno members straightaway renders their occupation of the top two posts in the body charged with running and refereeing elections in Malaysia as impossible to justify on grounds of natural justice.
The honourable thing for both of them to do is to quit their positions without delay.
Their replacement by people with strong credentials for fair conduct must be effected before the next general election.    
Now that it is not denied Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad are Umno members, nothing they say in extenuation can absolve them of their being in a caught-out situation - that is, they are not neutral interlocutors, and cannot be construed as having the capacity to be impartial.
In other words, their membership in a political party has encumbered them with the fatal flaw of partisanship.
The very fact that both, having been caught-out in a non-neutral zone, have said things in mitigation of their position as Umno members only serves to highlight the defect in their capacity for fair dealing.
A proper conception of that capacity would have, by dint of their membership of a political party, prevented them from being eligible for appointment to their present positions in the EC.
But an Umno-dominated government, steeped in a half-century’s habit of thinking its writ is beyond question, has blurred the lines of demarcation between state and party interests such that people like Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad don’t know the difference between the two even when they are appointed to positions that make it imperative they do.
Thus when they are caught out as they have been in this instance when it is undeniable they have lacked an important credential - non-partisanship - for their present position, they stumble into an orgy of extenuation, retailing one excuse after another.
EC’s partial conduct
Men of honour, when similarly caught-out, would apologise and tender their resignation.
Even if they have a plausible reason that would mitigate their offence, they will allow a lapse of time before they say something in extenuation.
One of the better examples of such nobility of conduct was displayed by former prime minister Hussein Onn in the mid-1980s, some years after his retirement from the top post.
He tangled with the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration over who was actually responsible for the Maminco Affair, the infamous episode in 1981 when the government tried to corner the international market in tin on the London exchange.
The affair incurred huge losses and was deeply embarrassing to the government. Incidentally, cabinet records showed that the decision to corner the market was made at the tail end of Hussein’s tenure as PM.
Apparently, Hussein could not recall the episode. In extenuation, it must be said that he was recovering from heart bypass surgery at the time the cabinet decision was taken and when his administration was virtually on auto-pilot.
Yet, when the relevant cabinet meeting minutes were publicly exposed and showed that he was in charge, he did not hesitate to offer his apology for the memory lapse.
Many sympathised with him, sensing his anguish at having to be saddled with responsibility for an action whose enormity could not be visualised at the point in time when it was made and about a matter whose initial contours were hazy at best and unthreatening at worst.
The ethos that Umno has foisted on the nation’s politics, which has allowed someone to be chief justice who had earlier been the party’s lead counsel, has become so permissive that Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad could be forgiven for thinking that their membership in Umno did not disqualify them for the posts they hold in the EC.
Umno luminaries have been appointed to the governorships of states without hereditary sultans, a position that used to be reserved for renowned educationists and other non-politically affiliated society notables.
If such permissiveness has become the norm, how, then, could ordinary membership of the party be a disqualifier for signal posts in the EC?
The baffled reactions of Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad to the discovery they have been Umno members are indicative of how matters to do with what is perceived as honourable and impartial conduct have deteriorated on Umno’s prolonged watch.
That watch is no longer sustainable.

---

TERENCE NETTO has been a journalist for close on four decades. He likes the occupation because it puts him in contact with the eminent without being under the necessity to admire them. It is the ideal occupation for a temperament that finds power fascinating and its exercise abhorrent.

KL police: Bersih 3.0 can gather but not march

KL police: Bersih 3.0 can gather but not march

S Pathmawathy
4:13PM Apr 27, 2012

Supporters of Bersih 3.0 are permitted to gather at the meeting points but are prohibited from marching to Dataran Merdeka as provided for by the recently enforced Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA), said Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh.
He said any group moving to Dataran Merdeka to join the banned sit-in tomorrow will face police action, and possible arrest.
The police obtained a court order last night barring the coalition for clean and fair elections from sitting-in at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow.
Mohmad said supporters and organisers are prohibited from marching from the meeting points to anywhere too close to streets bordering the venue.

"Seeing that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) rejected Bersih's application and the police received intelligence and information that the organisers are adamant on going ahead, considering issues of safety and peace we had applied for a court order under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code," said Mohmad at the police contingent headquarters.

The order bars all activities at Dataran Merdeka from tomorrow till  May 1, he  said, adding that any violation of the order carries a maximum jail term of six month or RM2,000 fine or both under Section 188 of the Penal Code.
The organisers had identified six gathering locations - Masjid Negara, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Masjid India, Central Market, Brickfields fountain, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).
Participants of environmental coalition, Himpuanan Hijau, plan to  make their way from KLCC to Dataran Merdeka to join forces with Bersih.

Asked if there will be road closure or road blocks leading to the gathering points, that, Mohmad told reporters, would depend on tomorrow’s situation.
No restrictions have been place on t-shirts and other paraphernalia related to Bersih or Himpunan Hijau, he said, unlike the July 9 rally last year when yellow coloured Bersih related materials were outlawed.
At a simultaneous press conference at another location, Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan said that they will adhere to the court order but will try to get as close as possible to the iconic field.

The security move against the coalition, however, contradicts Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's assurance that the rally is not a secuirty threat.

DBKL, under orders from Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail, said in a statement that the restriction will be enforced according to the  Local Government (Dataran Merdeka) (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) By-Laws 1992 and section 65 of the Local Government Act 1976 until Sunday 6am.

City hall has since barricaded the historic square and both DBKL and the government have repeatedly urged Bersih to change the venue of the sit-in to other venues including Stadium Merdeka which was ironically off limits to the tens of thousands during last year’s July 9 rally.

View

Bersih: We'll try to get as close as possible to Dataran

Bersih: We'll try to get as close as possible to Dataran

Hazlan Zakaria
4:23PM Apr 27, 2012

Electoral reform advocacy group Bersih has vowed to continue its planned sit-in protest tomorrow, but has pledged to accede to a court order banning the participants from gathering at the iconic Dataran Merdeka.
“We will not break the barriers, we will not breach the order... We will gather at our gathering points, which are not mentioned in the order (banning the group and members of the public), and move as close to the Dataran as possible.
“This is in the hope of the goodwill of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in allowing us to use Dataran Merdeka anyway and not enforce the court order,” its co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan (second from left) said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
Bersih co-chair person Hishammuddin Rais, who was also present, explained that the six meeting points would be Dataran Gajah in Brickfields, Jalan Sultan, KLCC, the National Mosque, Masjid India and Pasar Seni.
Adamant that she would be there tomorrow despite the order naming her personally, Ambiga said that regardless of where they would be tomorrow, the sit-in will proceed at 2pm sharp, starting off with the group singing the national anthem, Negara-ku.
“We invite everyone to sing with us. We hope that the national anthem shall resound all throughout Kuala Lumpur.”
She said the organisers were expecting more than 100,000 people to turn up tomorrow, and jokingly added that the numbers may increase by 20,000, just by the presence of the DBKL installed barriers ringing Dataran Merdeka.
Ambiga was served with a court order at 12.08pm today banning her in person, the Bersih 3.0 organisers and the general public from Dataran Mereka for four days beginning tomorrow until May 1.
The order, which she accepted under protest, was issued by magistrate Zaki Asyraf Zubir of the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court, and was applied for by the Dang Wangi OCPD.
Asked if they aimed to challenge the order in court, Ambiga said that there was not enough time to do it.

'Problems with the court order'
“We will continue looking at it, as we believe there are problems with the order.”
For one, she pointed out that the order was addressed to the “organisers of Bersih”, which to their legal understanding, referred to an entity that does not exist under the law.
Commenting on another point of law, Ambiga pointed out that according to Section 14(1) of the newly gazetted Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2011, the police cannot refuse permission for a planned gathering but can only impose conditions.
Section 14(2) of the Act, she said, states that an assembly can proceed as is, if no such conditions are imposed.       
“As the police did not impose conditions on Bersih 3.0, it is legal and it is the police who have breached the PAA by forbidding the gathering.”
As for the refusal of the DBKL and the mayor to allow the gathering, she called it an “abuse of power” as in the group’s view, the rakyat do not need the consent of the mayor to engage in peaceful protest and exercise their constitutional rights.
In the end, Ambiga contended, the supreme law of the land must supersede everything.
“Considering the DBKL bylaws, the PAA and the federal constitution (which guarantees freedom to assemble), in our view, what prevails is the constitution.”
She stressed that Bersih does not want to fight with anyone in authority but is asking for their co-operation.
Ambiga said Bersih will deploy 6,000 security volunteers during the rally tomorrow, drawn from PAS’ Unit Amal, student group SAMM, DAP Socialist Youth and the PKR Youth AMK Skuad, alongside more than 100 medical volunteers.
The Bar Council and Suaram have also pledged legal assistance for participants in the case of arrest, with the contact numbers provided in these links to their sites.

Cyber attack against Malaysiakini begins, again

Because of cyber attack of Malaysiakini server, many oversea visitors are unable to view Malaysiakini’s news, so reproducing it below for the unfortunate:

Cyber attack against Malaysiakini begins, again

6:49PM Apr 27, 2012

Malaysiakini's server came under attack as tensions mount ahead of tomorrow's Bersih 3.0 rally.
Readers and subscribers, especially those using international routing such as Blackberries phones, have been unable to access Malaysiakinisince 5.30pm this evening.
The attack known as a - distributed denial of service (DDOS) - involves using a large number of computers to flood Malaysiakini'sservers with ‘dud’ traffic, causing a traffic jam which denies access to legitimate users.
The attack is normally carried out by international syndicates paid to disrupt targeted websites.
A similar attack was carried out against Malaysiakini in April and July last year, in tandem with the Sarawak elections and Bersih 2.0 respectively.

Malaysiakini's technology team is currently studying the attack patterns and will take measures to overcome the attacks.

EC President & Deputy President public servant?

This is what Abdul Aziz (President SPR/EC) and Wan Ahmad (Deputy President SPR/EC) contented when faced with allegations that they are UMNO members and thus cannot be independent.

However, does this 2 officials really knows their role in SPR (Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya), that is, EC (Election Commission)? The Election Commission is supposed to be independent!!!!

A public servant takes order from their superiors and thus cannot act independently. They don't know their roles. This must be the reason why they had been acting as if they are branches of UMNO/BN.

Abdul Aziz and Wan Ahmad must resign as demanded by BERSIH 3.0 as it is clear they are not acting out their true role as an independent commission. Further, it is stated that members of the EC must enjoy public confidence and confidence is what is lacking now. The public do not have confidence in them being able to really act independently.

Baljit Singh of Gerakan talking nonsense

Baljit Singh, Penang Gerakan state legal and human bureau chief, challenged Pakatan Rakyat that if they really want clean and fair election and want to empower the people, then Pakatan should stand together with Gerakan suggestion to disallow party hopping after elections.

This Baljit Singh who is supposed to be in charge of legal and human matters is talking through his nose. It is UMNO/BN that should stand with Pakatan Rakyat to disallow party hopping after elections. It is UMNO/BN that amended the Constitution so that an MP who wants to hop to another party and want to seek a fresh mandate by resigning and recontest in an election will find it impossible to do so because UMNO/BN had made it necessary for the MP to wait 5 years before he can recontest in an election.

So Baljit Singh, if you are sincere, you should ask your Gerakan leaders to pressure UMNO/BN to remove that Constitutional barrier to require an MP who resign to wait 5 years before recontesting.

If you can do that, you can be sure Pakatan Rakyat will stand with you.

Refernce: Tell us how you cheated, opposition leaders urged

Email forward: Dataran Merdeka locked down but BERSIH 3.0 will continue

Although the participants may not actually reach Dataran Merdeka itself, the participants will try to get as near as possible peacefully:

From an email message forwarded:

********************
The latest is the authorities have not only cordonned off Dataran Merdeka (Independence Squqre), they have started using helicopters to patrol the skies around that area.

Also received an email from Vancouver. They have already started. So we have Malaysians and friends of Malaysia in more than 70 cities around the world who are supporting this rally and its cause. By tomorrow, Bersih 3.0 will be officially a national and an international

Despite the provblems we have here in KL, the Rakyat is determined to participate. They will peaceably protest and demand free and fair elections. Even if the Rakyat cannot get onto Dataran, they can swarm and surround it.

The Rakyat is realistic. They expect the ruling party government will have their thugs in place and they can all expect those fellas to do their best to destabilize a peaceful rally and to cause an incident if given the opportunity.

At Bersih 2.0 they sent in their UMNO Youth chief, Khairy Jamaluddin with a bunch of apparently hired "Patriots" who unsuccessfully tried to stir up trouble. Yes, irt appeared they then sent their very best, brash UMNO youth leader who can slither and turn and talk anyone to death, their very own Transformer - an elitist Oxford debating team type who can tear anything and anyone apart yet have no substance to offer. At Bersih 20.0, this same character's photo showed up looking like a Mat Rempit bad boy type from Kampung Oxfoot. Rakyat power was too strong and he beat a hasty retreat. (Note: My observations about this public personality are mine solely and is based on how he has projected himself through the media and debates; nothing personal; just observations which any member of the public can have just sharing - so please be careful who you send this email to).

Everyone, just please be vigilant, peaceful and calm even in the face of ugly thuggery and the police with all their 'finery'.

Malaysia is one of the very few countries in the world where the police machinery reports to the ruling government. Elsewhere in the world, those in power come and go but the police as with the civil service remains neutral carrying out their duty which is to protect and safeguard the lawful public. Hope for the best.

C u all there tomorrow.

UMNO members: Should SPR President and Deputy President resign?

According to a media statement (Kenyataan Media) by PKR below, they should resign because there are UMNO members and therefore there is conflict of interest and they cannot be expected to be independent.

However, I remembered reading they Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (President SPR/EC) and Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (Deputy President SPR/EC) claimed they had resign prior to taking up the post. However, I am not in a position to check the veracity of their statements.

Even then, if they had really resigned prior to taking up their posts, because of their past association with UMNO, there would still be sentiments of attachment to UMNO and therefore I doubt they can really be independent. And from their past actions and statements, my opinion is they are not independent and tend to side UMNO/BN.

So my opinion is that they should resign irrespective of their current UMNO membership and based on their past actions including allowing the Election Offences Act Amendment to be presented and passed by the UMNO/BN dominated Parliament plus other reasons too long to be appended here.

Subject: KENYATAAN MEDIA: Pengerusi dan Timbalan Pengerusi SPR disaran segera letak jawatan—(EC& DEPUTY HEAD TO RESIGN)

KENYATAAN MEDIA
27 APRIL 2012

PENGERUSI DAN TIMBALAN PENGERUSI SPR DISARAN SEGERA LETAK JAWATAN

Parti Keadilan Rakyat memandang serius perkara keterlibatan Pengerusi SPR Tan Sri Abd Aziz Yusof dan Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Dato Wan Ahmad Wan Omar yang sah menjadi ahli Umno sementara masih memegang jawatan di dalam SPR.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat berpegang kepada prinsip bahawa kepercayaan awam adalah syarat tonggak dalam kriteria perlantikan seseorang sebagai anggota di dalam SPR. Seorang yang diamanahkan menduduki jawatan sebagai anggota SPR hendaklah diyakini bebas, tidak berpihak dan ‘non-partisan’. Ternyata Pengerusi dan Timbalan Pengerusi SPR gagal dalam ujian asas ini apakala terbukti mereka berdua sah menjadi ahli UMNO sepertimana maklumat berikut:

Nama ABDUL AZIZ BIN MOHD YUSOF
No KP 500124105279
No KP Lama 2698922
No Keahlian UMNO 113804
Kod Cawangan 09920036=SRI AMPANG BARU
Kod DUN 09920=LEMBAH JAYA
Kod Bahagian 099 = AMPANG
Negeri SELANGOR

Nama WAN AHMAD BIN WAN OMAR
No KP 490101035179
No KP Lama 2756290
No Keahlian UMNO 2374564
Kod Cawangan 02213049=KUBANG BUNGGOR
Kod DUN 02213= CHETOK
Kod Bahagian 022 = PASIR MAS
Negeri KELANTAN

Kita berpendapat jalan terbaik untuk kedua-dua mereka membantu mengembalikan kepercayaan rakyat terhadap kewibawaan institusi SPR lebih-lebih lagi pada ketika Malaysia akan menghadapi pilihanraya umum ke 13 akan datang ialah segera meletak jawatan.
Sekian, terima kasih.

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION ISMAIL
SETIAUSAHA AGUNG
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
-----------------

PRESS RELEASE
THE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION HAVE TO RESIGN IMMEDIATELY
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is concerned about the Umno membership of both Election Commission (EC) Chairman Tan Sri Abd Aziz Yusof and Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Dato Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, as these two gentlemen run are expected to run free and fair elections in Malaysia.
Both of them have to resign their positions in the EC immediately.
PKR holds steadfast that public trust is the main requirement to run the EC. Its officials have to be impartial and non-partisan. Both of them fail this test.

Their membership in Umno is as follows:
Name: ABDUL AZIZ BIN MOHD YUSOF
Identity card number: 500124105279
Previous identity card number: Lama 2698922
UMNO membership number: 113804
Branch code: 09920036=SRI AMPANG BARU
Assembly seat code: 09920=LEMBAH JAYA
Division code: 099 = AMPANG
State: SELANGOR

Name: WAN AHMAD BIN WAN OMAR
Identity card number: 490101035179
Previous identity card number: 2756290
Umno membership number: 2374564
Branch code: 02213049=KUBANG BUNGGOR
Assembly seat code: 02213= CHETOK
Division code: 022 = PASIR MAS
State: KELANTAN

They have to leave their posts to regain public trust in the EC, more so with Malaysia expecting the 13th General Election very soon.

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION ISMAIL
SECRETARY-GENERAL
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
26 APRIL 2012
---
Dihantarkan kepada anda melalui / Delivered to you by:

BIRO KOMUNIKASI
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
A-1-09, Merchant Square
No. 1, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1
47410 Petaling Jaya

Tel: +603 7885 0530
Fax: +603 7885 0531
E-mail: komunikasi@keadilanrakyat.org
Web: www.keadilanrakyat.org

Updated BERSIH 3.0 Assembly Points map

Here is the latest map of the BERSIH 3.0 Pre-rally assembly points, Saturday 28 April 2012:

The assembly points are:

1. Masjid Negara
2. Jalan Sultan (and Jalan Petaling)
3. Pasir Seni (Central Market)
4. KLCC (Kuala Lumpur Convention Center) for Himpun Hijau
5. Brickfields
6. Hipunan Hijau assembly point is KLCC

DAP mobilizing members for BERSIH 3.0

The Democratic Action Party is lending full support to this Saturday's Bersih 3.0 protest at Dataran Merdeka and hope members be joining them.

These are the details:

1) Come in YELLOW!
2) Gather at Jalan Sultan (the junction where Jalan Sultan meets Jalan Petaling) in Kuala Lumpur at 12noon on 28 April;
3) Follow instructions of our security team (men in RED) who will be at the scene to guide and protect all participants;
4) Do not in any way confront the authority - let the security team deal with them;
5) Bring as many friends as possible, follow Democratic Action party's Facebook or http://bersih.org/ for updates & spread the words!

#OccupyDataran encampment invites all Malaysians to join them

JOM TURUN & OCCUPY DATARAN MERDEKA SAMA-SAMA SEHINGGA BERSIH 3.0!

Joint Invitation to ALL Malaysians from the #OccupyDataran encampment

26 April 2012

It is now Day 13 of the joint encampment by two groups - the Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) group of students which is calling for the abolishment of PTPTN and free education for all (#mansuhPTPTN and #pendidikanpercuma) and Occupy Dataran (#occupydataran) which calls for the reclaiming of public spaces.

From the start of our encampment, the authorities, chiefly DBKL, has repeatedly sought to clamp down on us, despite the peaceful nature of our activities.

On 22 April, DBKL confiscated all our tents and some of our supplies. At the same time, 2 occupiers were arrested, and released on police bail on the same day.

On 24 April, DBKL again raided the encampment, taking away the tents and most of our supplies, as well as some of the money donated by the generous public. On the same day, 4 other occupiers were also arrested, and released on police bail later that night.

DBKL has clearly stated that it plans to prevent the rakyat from accessing Dataran Merdeka this weekend: “Action has been taken against those kids at Dataran Merdeka... The same action will taken if you (Bersih supporters) do the same,” Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail said. (Malaysiakini, 25 April)

Currently, DBKL has set up barricades in the area which was used as our camp ground. Thus, as of 25 April, we have moved to the other side of the square where the flag pole is located and we are still standing strong.

Regardless of what DBKL or the police will do in the coming days, we are determined to continue with our encampment. We want to uphold Article 10 of our Federal Constitution, the highest law in our country which guarantees Malaysians the right to freedom of speech, assembly and association.

The reason that we are still here today is due to all the unwavering support we have received from the public thus far. Your continuous stream of donations has kept us going, but most of all, it is the presence of those who come down to sit, eat, laugh and share their ideas with us that is truly keeping this cause alive.

Thus, we would like to invite everyone who is able to come down to Dataran Merdeka today and tomorrow to please do so. To any groups which are fighting for any cause for a better Malaysia, do join us to reclaim Dataran Merdeka as a public space to promote your cause.
For those who are already planning to attend the Bersih 3.0 sit-in protest on 28 April at Dataran Merdeka, do consider camping with us in solidarity on Thursday and Friday (26 and 27 April) night. There is strength in numbers, so let us band together and send the message loud and clear that we are coming together to create a better Malaysia for all.

Now is the time to show this country that we love and own public spaces like Dataran Merdeka which belong to the Rakyat and which symbolise our freedom as citizens.

Thank you.

Jointly issued by
Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and OccupyDataran

Please follow @MahasiswaMsia and @OccupyDataran on Twitter for the latest updates.
Or check the following hashtags: #mansuhPTPTN, #pendidikanpercuma , #occupydataran, #univesitydataranmerdeka

Will the Armed Forces intervene if UMNO/BN lost the 13th General Election?

Or would they back the rakyat?

According to a report in Free Malaysia Today (Military shells PAS leader), Nizar had claimed that Najib asked the Armed Forces's Chiefs of Staff if/for the military would/to do "something" if BN lost the impending general election, and they had said the military would back the rakyat (people).

True or not we do not know. However, according to the above article, the Chiefs of Staff chastised Nizar saying he is irresponsible and would make a police report against the former Perak MB.

The Chiefs of Staff maintained that they would always remain professional and uphold the Federal Constitution.

BERSIH 3.0: PSAP offers entertainment before and after rally

PSAP (Petaling Street Community Art Project) has announced preparing to provide music gigs, sketches and other performances at Jalan Sultan both before and after the BERSIH 3.0 rally for free and fair elections this Saturday 28 April 2012.

Performances will start from 10am to 2pm, move over to Dataran Merdeka from 2 to 4pm, and return to Jalan Sultan for a street party at 7.30pm

BERSIH 3.0: Bar Council offers legal assistance

The Malaysian Bar’s Legal Aid Centre has readied a team to provide legal assistance for the BERSIH Jom Duduk Bantah protest if any arrests were to occur.

The team would be led by:

-Rajesweri Paramasevam (012-275 1660)
-Lim Chi Chau (016-228 8142)
-Adora Yusof (019-317 8347)

So for participants who intend to join in the protest for free and fair elections in Kuala Lumpur, do save these phone numbers in your handphone.

Election: International fact-finding mission raises 3 concerns

An international fact-finding mission raised concerns over upcoming polls. They were:

1. short campaign period

2. proportions of constituencies (eg 1 with 8,ooo voters and another with 100,000 plus, also called mal-approportionment)

3. Unbalanced media access

Article Mission raises concerns over upcoming polls courtesy of Malaysiakini:

Aidila Razak
1:21PM Apr 26, 2012

A seven-person international fact-finding mission today raised three concerns over Malaysia’s electoral system with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz.
According to Australian senator Nicholas Xenophon, a member of the mission, one concern brought up at the one-hour meeting at Parliament house was the short campaigning period of 10 days.
“In Australia it is at least 33 days and in India and Pakistan it is 90 days, which almost feels too long,” he told reporters after the meeting with Nazri.

Xenophon, who is here with the other delegates upon invitation by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's office, said that another concern was the proportions of constituencies.
"We are also concerned about the fundamental issue of one vote one value where some seats have 7,000 to 8,000 constituents while others have close to 100,000. It does not reflect the democractic will of a nation," he said.

The mission also raised concern that there is access to media is imbalanced between the opposition and government parties.
He, however, could not disclose what Nazri's response to their concerns, except that the minister had assures the mission of a "clean and fair election".

Nazri told the 'truth'

Asked if the mission are acting on opposition complaints, Xenophon said that the information was collected from public domain and that the mission comes with goodwill to hear all sides of the story.
"I cannot stress enough that we come as friends of Malaysia... Friends tell each other the truth," he said.
He added that while the invitation came from the opposition, everyone on the team are "fiercely independent" and have an interest in Malaysia's development.
The delegation will also meet with BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor today. Meetings with election reform pressure group Bersih 2.0 and the Election Commission are slated for the next two days.
They will conclude the mission on Sunday and present interim findings, with a report expected to be made public within the next two weeks.
Others in the team are Pakistani senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Filipino University of East College of Law dean Amado Valdez, Germany's Freidrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom coordinator Juliane Schmucker, University of New South Wales associate professor of politics Clinton Fernandes, Indian journalist Mobashar Jawed Akhbar and the Indonesian International Scholars Association chairperson Mohamad Nasir Tamara Tamimi

Global locations for BERSIH 3.0

Bersih 3.0 Links to All Global Locations
Public Event · By Global Bersih 3.0
Saturday
2:00pm until 4:00pm

Dataran Merdeka and other cities in Malaysia. Time on the event page is Malaysian time.

Will be adding other cities around the world as soon as the details roll in. Keep an eye on this. Bersih 3.0 is coming to a city near you. Click "See More" to view all locations info.

MALAYSIA
=======
Bersih 3.0 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah -
https://www.facebook.com/events/315096545223703/

Bersih 3.0 Kuching, Sarawak -
https://www.facebook.com/events/338388782891089/

Bersih 3.0 Sibu, Sarawak -
https://www.facebook.com/events/207365332707350/

Bersih 3.0 Miri, Sarawak -
https://www.facebook.com/miribersih3

Bersih 3.0 Melaka -
https://www.facebook.com/events/371520759559030/

Bersih 3.0 Johor Bahru
https://www.facebook.com/events/119455874852836/

Bersih 3.0 Ipoh, Perak -
https://www.facebook.com/events/348148438566428/

Bersih 3.0 Penang -
https://www.facebook.com/events/345004938892669/

Bersih 3.0 Seremban -
https://www.facebook.com/events/415620288465733/

Bersih 3.0 Kuantan -
https://www.facebook.com/Bersih3Kuantan


SINGAPORE
=======
1. https://www.facebook.com/events/390742800956318/


HONG KONG
========
2. https://www.facebook.com/events/202681859843800/


JAPAN
=======

3. Bersih 3.0 Osaka -
https://www.facebook.com/events/174583425996400/

4. Bersih 3.0 & Himpunan Hijau Tokyo -
https://www.facebook.com/events/147306445395330/


AUSTRIA
=====

5. Bersih 3.0 Graz, Austria -
https://www.facebook.com/events/187139828070890/


AUSTRALIA
=======

6. Bersih 3.0 Brisbane, Australia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/241055055993470/

7. Bersih 3.0 Canberra, Australia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/279494802131407/

8. Bersih 3.0 Perth, Australia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/174336752686691/

9. Bersih 3.0 Melbourne, Australia -
http://www.facebook.com/events/287379891340402/

10. Bersih 3.0 Sydney, Australia -
http://www.facebook.com/events/240421162722843/

11. Bersih 3.0 Adelaide, Australia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/357967494250048/

12. Bersih 3.0 Hobart, Australia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/261892757238557/



USA
===

13. Bersih 3.0 Houston, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/193428054107323/

14. Bersih 3.0 Atlanta, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/248161981947149/

15. Bersih 3.0 Pittsburgh, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/343547262359836/

16. Bersih 3.0 Minneapolis, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/366929396684279/

17. Bersih 3.0 San Francisco, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/145554382237595/

18. Bersih 3.0 New York City, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/423704660976318/

19. Bersih 3.0 Washington DC, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/308587952547536/

20. Bersih 3.0 Los Angeles, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/401400759871073/

21. Bersih 3.0 Boston, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/401846913167905/

22. Bersih 3.0 Chicago, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/341823889199079/

23. Bersih 3.0 Portland, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/260380270718932/

24. Bersih 3.0 Columbus, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/208738719241101/

25. Bersih 3.0 Wichita, Kansas, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/337774402952047/

26. Bersih 3.0 Ames, Iowa, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/events/295757087165788/

27. Bersih 3.0 Concord, New Hampshire, USA -
https://www.facebook.com/Bersih30ConcordNH


CANADA
======

28. Bersih 3.0 Toronto -
https://www.facebook.com/events/267059186716887/

29. Bersih 3.0 Montreal -
https://www.facebook.com/events/323057194426941/

30. Bersih 3.0 - Vancouver -
https://www.facebook.com/events/349891375073909/



NEW ZEALAND
=========

31. Bersih 3.0 Auckland, NZ -
https://www.facebook.com/events/400335439984089/

32. Bersih 3.0 Wellington, NZ -
https://www.facebook.com/events/382620375112069/

33. Bersih 3.0 Motueka, NZ -
https://www.facebook.com/events/364019953650378/

34. Bersih 3.0 Christchurch, NZ -
https://www.facebook.com/events/201058890011703/

35. Bersih 3.0 Dunedin, NZ -
https://www.facebook.com/events/370623866322181/



TAIWAN
=====

36. Bersih 3.0 Taipei, Taiwan -
https://www.facebook.com/events/262999993789440/

37. Bersih 3.0 Tainan, Taiwan -
https://www.facebook.com/events/291332090941433/

38. Bersih 3.0 Hualien, Taiwan -
http://www.facebook.com/events/262373200523204/

UK
===

39. Bersih 3.0 London, UK -
https://www.facebook.com/events/325872910812269/

40. Bersih 3.0 Edinburgh, Scotland -
https://www.facebook.com/events/286649228081128/

41. Bersih 3.0 Newcastle, UK -
https://www.facebook.com/events/115168308615240/

42. Bersih 3.0 Manchester, UK -
https://www.facebook.com/events/339679172762972/

43. Bersih 3.0 Nottingham, UK -
https://www.facebook.com/events/348722895177498/



IRELAND
=====

44. Bersih 3.0 Dublin, Ireland -
https://www.facebook.com/events/411739042187349/

45. Bersih 3.0 in Sligo, Ireland -
https://www.facebook.com/events/303511556384848/



SWITZERLAND
=========

46. Bersih 3.0 Zurich, Switzerland - https://www.facebook.com/events/410237102336932/

47. Bersih 3.0 Geneva, Switzerland - https://www.facebook.com/events/209924649118739/



SWEDEN
======

48. Bersih 3.0 Uppsala, Sweden -
https://www.facebook.com/events/363154950388342/

49. Bersih 3.0 Mälmo, Sweden -
https://www.facebook.com/events/396478140386224/



GERMANY
======

50. Bersih 3.0 Koeln/Bonn, Germany -
https://www.facebook.com/events/342973759083659/

51. Bersih 3.0 Berlin, Germany -
https://www.facebook.com/events/266336840122360/

52. Bersih 3.0 Munich, Germany -
https://www.facebook.com/events/215011368613751/


CHINA
=====

53. Bersih 3.0 Shanghai, China -
https://www.facebook.com/events/309688665763071/

54. Bersih 3.0 Beijing, China -
https://www.facebook.com/events/103722559763436/

55. Bersih 3.0 Suzhou, China -
https://www.facebook.com/events/366400600062425/



FRANCE
=====

56. Bersih 3.0 Paris, France -
https://www.facebook.com/events/278350172251366/



THAILAND
======

57. Bersih 3.0 Bangkok, Thailand -
https://www.facebook.com/events/388403984533278/

58. Bersih 3.0 Phuket, Thailand -
https://www.facebook.com/events/326987054035086/



KOREA
====

59. Bersih 3.0 Seoul, Korea -
https://www.facebook.com/events/362590793778829/

60. Bersih 3.0, Busan, Korea
https://www.facebook.com/events/213046255475980/



FINLAND
=====

61. Bersih 3.0 Helsinki, Finland
https://www.facebook.com/events/290951677651212/



RUSSIA
=====

62. Bersih 3.0 Moscow, Russia
https://www.facebook.com/events/229411847172930/



JORDAN
======

https://www.facebook.com/events/213015218812119/

63. Bersih 3.0 Amman, Jordan
64. Bersih 3.0 Mafraq, Jordan
65. Bersih 3.0 Irbid, Jordan
66. Bersih 3.0 Mu’tah, Jordan



BANGLADESH
========

67. Bersih 3.0 Dhaka, Bangladesh -
https://www.facebook.com/events/248246938607720/



NETHERLANDS
=========

68. Bersih 3.0 The Hague, Netherlands -
https://www.facebook.com/events/321907097877088



INDONESIA
=======

69. Bersih 3.0 Jakarta, Indonesia - https://www.facebook.com/Bersih3.0Jakarta

70. Bersih 3.0 Bali, Indonesia -https://www.facebook.com/events/172964169492973/



SOUTH AFRICA
=======

71. Bersih 3.0 Cape Town, South Africa
https://www.facebook.com/events/133149320143074/



INDIA
====

72. Bersih 3.0 Mumbai, India -
https://www.facebook.com/events/326286947436875/



UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
===================

73. Bersih 3.0 Abu Dhabi, UAE -
https://www.facebook.com/events/283313688421311/
74. Bersih 3.0 Dubai, UAE



SAUDI ARABIA
=========

75. Bersih 3.0, Mecca, Saudi Arabia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/437336929625401/

76. Bersih 3.0, Medina, Saudi Arabia -
https://www.facebook.com/events/176639859124823/



NEPAL
====
77. Bersih 3.0 at Mount Everest



EGYPT
====

78. Bersih 3.0 Egypt -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kami-Sokong-Bersih-30-Mesir/220113151431358


ITALY
====

79. Bersih 3.0 Italy -
https://www.facebook.com/events/218457314930312/

Arrogant Najib & Fuad Ismail to face global resistance

Let us all kickstart a worldwide campaign right now (by "SHARING" this on your Facebook and Twitter or COPY and PASTE THIS EMAIL to your friends) to protest against Najib Razak (prime minister of Malaysia, najib@pmo.gov.my) and Fuad Ismail (datukbandar@dbkl.gov.my) to tell them how ARROGANT they have become in the way they treat the PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA in BERSIH 1.0, 2.0 and now, 3.0. The Dataran Merdeka (or Merdeka Square) belongs to the people, and City Hall is only tasked to manage the place on behalf of taxpayers. Find out more about BERSIH 3.0 sit-in protest this Saturday via online news www.malaysiakini.com,www.malaysian-chronicle.com, www.themalaysianinsider.com, , www.freemalaysiatoday.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DBKL to Bersih: Prepare to face the music

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng

1:26PM Apr 25, 2012

Bersih 3.0 supporters at Saturday's Dataran Merdeka sit-in will face the same actions taken against activists who occupied the venue recently, Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail has warned.

“Action has been taken against those kids at Dataran Merdeka... The same action will taken if you (Bersih supporters) do the same,” Fuad said.

He said this when asked how Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would react if the Bersih coalition proceeded with its plan to hold the sit-in at the square from 2pm to 4pm.

Fuad said this at a press conference after a one-hour meeting between DBKL and Bersih representatives failed to reach agreement on the venue for the rally.

'In case of chaos, blame Bersih'

Asked whether DBKL would seek police help to stop the rally from taking place at Dataran Merdeka, Fuad declined to answer.

"When the time comes, you will know. Don't worry... We are ready. We don't allow them to go to Dataran Merdeka... let us do our job,” he said.

When it was pointed out to him that a confrontation with the Bersih supporters could create chaos, Fuad said should this happen, it is the rally organisers who should be blamed.

"Who creates chaos? They create it because they want to go against the laws and (threaten) to sit on the road. I have given them alternatives but they didn't give me any alternative," he said.

He claimed that Bersih representatives had said during the meeting that rally participants might sit on the roads surrounding the square if Dataran Merdeka is cordoned off.

In recent days, DBKL has conducted several raids on students and activists who have set up a protest camp at Dataran Merdeka for more than a 10 days as part of a campaign for free tertiary education.

Their tents and belongings have been confiscated by DBKL while one out of six arrested have been charged in court.

Bersih: No time to change venue


Prior to Fuad’s press conference, Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told reporters the coalition still hoped that Fuad would change his mind before Saturday.

Thus, she said, Bersih would stick to its original plan to hold the rally at Dataran Merdeka, despite Fuad had offered them Stadium Merdeka, explaining that there was not enough time to change venue.

"If we change place now, it would cause bigger confusion. People will still gather here (Dataran Merdeka) as well as at Stadium Merdeka.

"It is just too little time to inform people," she said.

"We would be prepared to discuss with the mayor on crowd control and security issues if he changes his mind... We are hoping that we can make it happen," Ambiga added.


DBKL: That's not our fault


Earlier, Fuad told reporters that Ambiga’s argument about the time constraint was a weak excuse not to relocate the rally.

He said Bersih has only itself to blame because its official letter to DBKL was only handed on April 19. He said DBKL replied that very day.

"They claimed they had faxed in the letter on April 16 but we didn't receive it. If it is an important letter, why only fax and not hand deliver it to us?

"Hence, the issue of DBKL delaying their request, causing them to have insufficient time to inform their supporters does not arise," he said.

He said Bersih’s argument that DBKL was already informed through an announcement on April 4 of the coalition’s plan to hold a rally there also cannot be accepted.

"That's your intention but it was not official notice... Let's say if I hold a kenduri (feast) but I don't give you any invitation, would you come?"

Fuad: I'm being fair


Fuad also stressed that if Bersih was willing to accept the alternative venue - Stadium Merdeka, which is just 1km away from Dataran Merdeka - he would be willing to hold a joint press conference with Bersih and help publicise the venue change.

"If all of you here report about it, I think the whole world will know."

Fuad further explained that he was in a dilemma because allowing Bersih to use the historic square would cause him to be accused of double standards, breaking the laws and failing to protect the lives of 1.8 million Kuala Lumpur folks from being disrupted.

Previously three organisations - Malay rights group Perkasa, anti-LGBT movement and a Malay traditional marital arts group - had made the same request but all had been rejected, he claimed.

As for the decisions to allow other cultural and sports activities to use the venue, Fuad explained that those events were neutral and nobody would feel uncomfortable with them, unlike Bersih which is opposed by certain quarters of the society.

Furthermore, Dataran Merdeka had been gazetted as a prohibited place for rallies under the new Peaceful Assembly Act 2011, he said.

"If they argue that Dataran Merdeka has historical value, same goes for Stadium Merdeka... Independence declaration was made by (first prime minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman there.

"It is more appropriate (to hold rally there) because it is wide and has many parkings," he elaborated.

Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz says PR will win 13th General Election

I too believe PR will win if UMNO/BN's cheating is not too extensive for the people are just fed up and ready for a change. Sakmongkol predicts PR will take 118-125 seats, Umno/BN 98-104 seats. Let's hope it happens.

From an email forward:

13th GE: It's an open field - Sakmongkol AK47

Let's talk about HOW the opposition - the DAP, PAS, PKR - can WIN.
Let's begin by asking: will PR lose its current 82 seats? Possible, but very unlikely. The seats which they lost when some people jumped ship will become theirs again. We won't see the likes of Zahrain and his types in Parliament again.

DAP
The DAP now has 28 seats in Parliament. The DAP has gained substantial ground with Chinese voters. Chinese voters identify more with the DAP.

By and large the Chinese do not require the intervention and involvement of the government to improve their wellbeing.
They got to where they are now largely by their own efforts and independence. They want to preserve and reinforce that independent streak. How best for them to do that? By staking their future in a party that best represents the independence streak.

They don't want a sissy party perceived as easily compromised, intimidated or even bought over to represent them. The DAP is their preferred choice. I mean that is the reason driving Hishammuddin pondering a move from Sembrong to Kota Tinggi.
To the Chinese in Sembrong, and this doesn't please me in saying, Hishammuddin is irrelevant to them. He knows if he stays in Sembrong, he can kiss his seat goodbye. They want to kick the ass of the man with the monkey grin.

The Chinese are less dependent on the government and by government, I mean the BN. They need champions for other requirements and that they find in the DAP. So the DAP will more or less pummel the MCA to the ground.

They will take most of the 15 seats the MCA won in the 2008 elections. At the very best, the MCA can retain three seats. The worst-case scenario is the MCA wins nothing.

The DAP will increase its seats by another 12 in Semenanjung.
It gobbles up most of the seats now held by the MCA.

Why will the DAP win over the MCA?
Because the Chinese believe the MCA has sold them out. Not necessarily by kowtowing to big brother Umno over many issues, but by retreating from representing the indomitable spirit of the Chinese.

The MCA has lost its mandate. That's how the DAP is winning the Chinese over - where the MCA failed. On a more simplistic reasoning, the Chinese who have traditionally supported the MCA are asking: how is it almost all our Chinese MCA leaders are being persecuted and prosecuted by the courts once they leave office?
How is it Umno leaders who did or are alleged to have done the same things are not? They know Malay leaders stole and swindled more.

I definitely believe PR will win provided the cheating by UMNO/BN is not too extensive. Sakmongkol predicts


What about the DAP in Sarawak? Generally speaking, the urban seats will be taken up by the DAP. That will be another eight or nine seats for the DAP.

The seats held currently by SUPP will end up in the DAP's hands. The DAP will get around 20 seats more than they got in 2008. This time around, the DAP will be in Parliament with probably 46-48 seats.

The newer and younger DAP leadership is taking on Malaysian politics with more finesse and it doesn't now intimidate modern-thinking Malays as the older generation of DAP leaders once did. And it has shed its umbilical connections with the PAP.
So now, if there are attempts for example to link the DAP as a stool or Trojan horse to Singapore's PAP, such attempts will be laughed at.

PAS
It's difficult to dislodge PAS from where they are now. Has any elected PAS rep jumped ship? This means PAS has been careful to select leaders on the basis of each having convictions and intense belief.

It will likely do the same thing for the 13GE. How can PAS win? It's difficult for its opponent to dislodge PAS in its traditional role as champions of Islam and serving as the emotional anchor for conservative Malays.

It will retain the many seats it now has in Kelantan. It will gain more seats in Terengganu which is expected to go back to PAS this time around.

Some of the seats in Kedah, for example, currently held by the MCA and Umno will be won by PAS. The seat now occupied by the MCA's Chor will be lost to PAS.
PAS can win because it's organised and is motivated by convictions. This is what sets it apart from Umno. They are not out for personal glory and gratification.

They have got a number of secular liberals in the party who can attract younger Malay voters. They will attract the serious thinkers among the younger Malay crowd who are not included in the tweeting about football or about Elton John variety.

PAS currently has 23 seats in Parliament. It will secure a large number in Terengganu, maybe one seat in Pahang, three in Kedah. My guess is they will increase their seats by another 7-8.
PAS will enter the next Parliament with around 30-31 seats.

PKR
What about PKR? I thought PKR is the weak link in PR. Let's not forget it won 31 seats in the 2008 elections.

Those who jumped ship were either ex-Umno members (that tells us much about the quality and resolve of Umno members) and those who were selected on the basis of urgency and expedience.
The "fluid" candidates will be removed this time around, and it is likely that PKR will select candidates with a firmer constitution.
PKR will secure a number of seats in Sarawak, taking away seats from SPDP and PRS. Baru Bian will spearhead PKR's drive in Sarawak. I am thinking that PKR will still enter Parliament with around 33-35 seats.

Let's take the worst-case scenario. DAP= 46, PAS= 30, PKR= 33. The opposition has 109 seats. They are short of three seats to secure a majority.

We haven't included Sabah in our discussion. With the disenchantment towards Musa Aman, it's unlikely that Sabah Umno can retain all its seats it currently has.

Unless of course they pay the voters in their constituencies. The non-Umno parties in Sabah are increasingly less enamoured with Musa Aman and they can't defend their positions by sticking around with Mr Vacuum Cleaner.

The opposition will probably gain around six seats outright. To me Sabah is the powder keg. It's likely to blow in the face of BN. The non-Malay indigenous people of Sabah are likely to pressure their parties to abandon BN.

They have had numerous Umno leaders leading them in the past, all they got was continued marginalisation. They don't see development in their areas.

They don't see electricity and roads and clean water after years of BN rule. It's therefore possible for us to see 8-10 seats migrating to PR's camp.

We can say that around 14-16 seats from Sabah alone are PR inclined.

My own personal observations about the coming 13th GE is as follows:
PR 118-125 seats, Umno-N= 98-104 seats. There won't be a hung Parliament.