LIVE REPORTS Electoral reform group Bersih’s nationwide convoy enters its third day this morning, with groups departing from six locations to promote the movement's fifth rally on Nov 19.
They will move from Sungai Petani, Kedah; Kulai, Johor; Kota Bharu, Kelantan; Teluk Intan, Perak; Bintulu, Sarawak and Tawau, Sabah.
The convoys are a part of Bersih’s seven-week roadshow to promote the Bersih 5 rally to call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign and to urge for institutional reforms.
Malaysiakini brings you regular updates from the day's events as they unfold.
Jamal accuses Bersih of defaming the cops
3pm: Sabak Bernam - The day ends with a press conference by Jamal, in which he criticises Bersih for allegedly defaming the cops, but still requesting their assistance.
"They had more police escorts than when foreign leaders come here," he said.
The last of the Bersih convoy left the area prior to the press conference, and the red shirts dispersed not long after.
Police estimate that there were about 200 Bersih supporters, and 400 red shirts in Sabak Bernam.
Bersih supporter pelted with eggs
2.40pm: Sabak Bernam - Bersih supporter kicked, pelted with eggs
Red shirts pelt eggs and kick a Bersih motorcyclist. After police step in, Jamal appears to call for calm & to return the man's bike @kinitv pic.twitter.com/ie8auRegBy
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
It is understood the man attacked by the red shirts had approached them after he was pelted with eggs from across the street @malaysiakini
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Police clarified that the man who was assaulted had wanted to go home, and had taken the route occupied by the red shirts @malaysiakini
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Sabah convoy's cars damaged, Kota Tinggi tension defused
2pm: Tawau - Several vehicles in Bersih's Sabah convoy was damaged while the team was out leafleting in town, according to the movement's Facebook page.
"(The windows) of several of the participants' vehicles had been broken and their tires had been punctured. We have lodged a police report," it said.
It added its convoys had faced provocation in Kota Tinggi, Johor, and Baling, Kedah, but police had intervened to maintain order.
Kota Tinggi - The group trying to stop Bersih has agreed to disperse after negotiating with the police.
However, the group returned when the convoy went to have lunch and they had to chase them away, reports Bersih.
"One of them started acting aggressively and was arrested by the police. The Bersih convoy has left peacefully and continues its journey."
Barricades up in Sabak Bernam
1.30pm: Sabak Bernam - Roughly 100 red shirts are gathered with the aim of blocking Bersih's route into Selangor from Perak.
"Kami semua Dtk Jamal!" Baju merah berkumpul utk halang Bersih keluar Sabak Bernam. Jamal arahkan "jgn langgar polis" @kinitv @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/CLjtHqW7UF
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
The police have deployed a light strike force detachment and placed barbed wire across the road, ahead of the red shirts.
Inside Sabak Bernam's mini stadium, 100 Bersih participants are gathered listening to speeches.
Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos was seen arriving to join the red shirts and planning their next move.
Bersih convoy arrives in Sabak Bernam @kinitv @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/LynDayvzxS
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Red shirts roadblock Teluk Intan, Kota Tinggi
12.30pm: Kota Tinggi - 20 red shirts block the southern convoy and want them to stop proceeding to Kluang. The police try to negotiate.
10.41am: Teluk Intan-Bidor Road - A minor incident erupts as the red shirts attempt to intervene.
Earlier this morning, the Alor Setar convoy was briefly halted by red shirts members while heading to the day's kick off.
A minor commotion breaks out as the red shirts try to stop Bersih's convoy in Teluk Intan @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/icZdt2FkEl
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Red shirts block the road as Bersih heads towards Ayer Hitam, Perak. Police are on hand to deal with the situation @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/vzYMz8acy4
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Police are stopping the red shirts' convoy and letting everyone else, including the Bersih convoy through @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/kxpkXBfkNF
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Riot police vehicles drive past Bersih convoy in Perak. Video by @kinitv @malaysiakini pic.twitter.com/YTz02kPJMn
— Zikri Kamarulzaman (@zikri) October 8, 2016
Convoy kicks off this morning
9am: According to the website schedule, all six convoys are to depart at 9am and reach their respective destinations at 8pm.
To the north, the convoy departs from Sungai Petani, Kedah to Georgetown, Penang; while in Kulai, Johor to the south, the convoy will be heading to Kluang, which is also in Johor.
On the east coast, a Bersih convoy will be heading to Cameron Highlands, Pahang, from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and to the west, another convoy departs Teluk Intan, Perak for Sabak Bernam, Selangor.
Meanwhile in East Malaysia, Bersih convoys will be departing from Bintulu, Sarawak, and Tawau, Sabah. They are heading for Sibu and Nabawan, respectively.
The upcoming Bersih 5 rally is to call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to resign in order to allow independent investigations on the 1MDB scandal, and to urge for institutional reforms.
The convoys are a part of Bersih’s seven-week roadshow to promote the event, although details on its time and venue have yet to be announced.
Participants of the convoy are encouraged to distribute flyers and talk to members of the public about Bersih 5 rally along their convoy route.
In the past however, some of Bersih’s convoys have faced intimidation and assault from Umno youth and ‘Red Shirts’ led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos.
On Oct 1, Bersih’s western region convoy claimed that it had been attacked by a group of bikers wearing red shirts as they left Lumut, and again when they arrived in Teluk Intan later that day.
Umno youth members also confronted Bersih in Johor Baru that day, but were stopped by the police.
A group of men wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Umno logo briefly disrupted a Bersih convoy in Alor Setar yesterday, but were again stopped by the police.
For today, Umno youth exco member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah had warned Bersih against crossing the state border into Selangor, and his group will be waiting for the convoy.
He said today is the day Tengku Amir Shah Ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj will be crowned as the Raja Muda Selangor, and it would be disrespectful for Bersih to continue its activities.
A group of youths led by Penang Umno youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim had held a protest against Bersih and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last week.
He had vowed to confront Bersih’s convoy in Penang if the police failed to stop them, but Bersih said it would continue with its plans to enter Penang today.
