KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) — Police may have blocked the entrance to
Dataran Merdeka,but they could not stop thousands of Bersih protestors
converging around the historic venue.

They came from Brickfields,Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak,the Sogo
shopping complex in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,the Central Market in Jalan Hang
Kasturi and Masjid Negara.

Although the number of PAS supporters turning up at the national mosque was
a lot smaller than expected as of 5 pm,the protesters as a whole had swelled to
at least 25,000,according to the estimate of Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk
Tajuddin Md Isa.

The total is expected to grow,with people continuing to arrive at the five
designated points and making their way to Dataran Merdeka.

Several opposition leaders spoke to the gathering there,including Kuala
Krai Member of Parliament Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli who urged the protesters to use
the two-day rally to force the top government leadership to step down.

“We cannot wait for the general election,” said the former PAS election
director.

Seremban MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook of the DAP delivered the same message as
he incited the protesters against the government.

The opposition leaders present included PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan
Azizah Wan Ismail,DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang,PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli
and Gerakan Harapan Baru chairman Mohamad Sabu.

The assembly,which the police say is illegal,has been causing traffic jams
around the city.

Bersih 4 is organised by the electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 which says it
is fighting for clean and fair elections,and a clean government,among other
things.

The rally has been planned for Kuala Lumpur,Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

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