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Don’t dismiss impact of Bersih 4, says Singapore daily

Don’t dismiss the impact of the Bersih 4 rally, a Singapore financial daily warned today, less than a week after the 34-hour protest which saw hundreds of thousands convening to demand institutional reform. In an editorial today, The Business Times said that as long as scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion political donation in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal bank accounts remained, the prime minister would find it increasingly difficult to maintain his hold on power. “It would be a grave mistake for the leadership to dismiss the impact of the rally,” the daily said, pointing out that members of the public had begun their call for Najib’s resignation months before the protest. “With the global spotlight on the Malaysian crisis, attempts to quell critics by clamping down on the Internet or making arrests could be counterproductive. “The government has to move quickly to rebuild confidence and credibility, within Malaysia and the world at large,” it said. The Bersih 4 rally, organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, demanded Najib’s resignation, the right to dissent, the strengthening of parliamentary democracy and other institutional reforms. Organisers said as many as 500,000 had turned up for the rally, although government authorities pegged attendance at 20,000. Police have warned of action against those involved in the rally, with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar saying that they were studying videos and photographs taken of the demonstration, which authorities said was illegal. Meanwhile Najib himself said that the rally was unwise, shallow-minded and showed a lack of national spirit. In his Merdeka Day message, he said that the government rejected any form of street protests that disrupted public order, adding that it did not reflect maturity. Najib has been under fire from both sides of the political divide with critics such as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad calling for his resignation over allegations of corruption. Despite external pressures, though, he has consistently refused to quit, saying he will continue to steer the country towards achieving developed nation status. – September 4, 2015.