Dr M At #Bersih5: The Government Is Undermining Democracy By Setting Up Blockades
The former prime minister has made a surprise appearance at the ongoing Bersih 5 rally.
By Tang Ruxyn — 19 Nov 2016, 05:06 PM
News of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad making an appearance at the Bersih 5 rally today has surprised many since he had said that he won't be able to attend the rally just a few days ago
Mahathir, who flew back from Sudan after a conference today, immediately made his way to the rally in Kuala Lumpur after his plane touched down at the Subang airport at about 12.30pm.
It was reported that Mahathir was seen with former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his son former Kedah Mentri Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir amongst others at the Bangsar LRT station by 2.30pm.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Mahathir praised the "high turnout" at the rally
"I feel great especially when there are so many participants, but the government is very cowardly, trying to prevent a demonstration, which is the right of the people."
"There's no question about race here. Everybody feels concerned about the kind of government we have now. I just came back from foreign countries and their opinion about Malaysia now is terrible,” he said in when asked if the rally is Chinese-dominated, as quoted by Malay Mail Online.
The former premier also said that there shouldn't be any blockade during the Bersih 5 rally
"We keep on doing something [...] the government is using the police to prevent people from having a peaceful rally."
While admitting the police were just doing their duty by setting up the blockades, Mahathir opined that they were not necessary in the first place.
"But we are doing this peacefully. There shouldn't be blockades. This is what we say undermining democracy, it's not Bersih who is undermining democracy," he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
Police blockades along the Bersih 5 rally routes had forced supporters to change their plan at the last minute
Tens of thousands of yellow-clad Malaysians marched towards KLCC, as the rally organisers shifted their final destination from Dataran Merdeka at the last minute.
The rally organisers made the announcement about the changes at about 2pm today.
"We have just received news from the command centre that we are all moving to a new location - KLCC," the message on Bersih 2.0's official Twitter account read.
