Bersih 2.0

The 2011 Bersih 2.0 rally (also called the Walk for Democracy) is a planned demonstration in Kuala Lumpur to be held on 9 July as a follow-up to the 2007 Bersih rally. The rally, organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), is supported by Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition of the three largest opposition parties in Malaysia but has been deemed illegal by the government.

Bersih, chaired by former president of the Bar Council Ambiga Sreenevasan, are pushing the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) to ensure free and fair elections in Malaysia. They have demanded that the EC clean up the electoral roll, reform postal voting, use indelible ink, introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period, allow all parties free access to the media and put an end to electoral fraud.

Two counter-rallies, led by Malay nationalist movement Perkasa and the youth division of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), were announced. Perkasa, led by independent member of parliament Ibrahim Ali, has refuted Bersih's demands for clean elections, arguing that these demands have already been met by the EC. They have also implored Bersih to call the rally off, warning that street clashes might occur between the two rallies.

Having originally planned to march through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the Bersih rally organisers have accepted an offer from the government allowing them to hold the rally in a stadium. As a result of Bersih deciding to hold their rally in a stadium, UMNO Youth called off their proposed rally. This was after intervention of the King and Bersih having an audience with the royal palace to decide their next course of action.

Supporters of Bersih claim that demands for electoral reform made during the 2007 demonstration have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile, detractors of Bersih and supporters of the Perkasa and UMNO Youth counter-rallies have dismissed Bersih's demands for electoral reform as well as accused Bersih of, among others, harbouring an opposition political agenda, attempting a coup d'état, and threatening to disrupt public order.