Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin believed that the lack of Malay participation in Bersih 4 will serve as an adhesive for the concerned community.
"Amazing is the spirit of the Chinese joining Bersih 4 to topple the Malay government.
"That is what is being felt in the outskirts (amongst the Malays)," he tweeted.
The former editor-in-chief of Utusan Malaysia also noted the missing PAS factor with regard to Bersih 4 compared to rallies in the past.
"Back then there were PAS faces, now there is only 'Mat Sapu'," he said in reference to Gerakan Harapan Baru leader Mohamad Sabu, who is known as Mat Sabu.
Mohamad Sabu is the former deputy president of PAS and one of the many casualties of the so-called progressive faction in the recent party polls.
Zainuddin said while the anti-Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak sentiment is strong amongst the Malays, the racial composition of Bersih 4 would have a negative impact.
"The faces of 'Chinese Bersih' which have drown the Malays do not benefit DAP, but instead would unite the Malays who are concerned," added the veteran newsman.
However, Mohamad Sabu and others have downplayed this issue, stating that the rally involves Malaysians, and should not be analysed from a racial perspective.
Political observers pointed out that while such unifying sentiments prevail among urban Malaysians, racial politics is still a decisive issue in this country.
They expect Bersih's detractors to paint the rally in a negative light along racial lines and according to them, such views have cropped up on social media.
For example, even the BN BackBenchers Club (BNBBC) posted an article on its website, which stated that it would not come as a surprise if Bersih 4 is labelled as a "racist" gathering.
The lack of Malay participation is also a problem for Gerakan Harapan Baru, which aims to replace PAS in the new opposition coalition dubbed Pakatan 2.0.
Its critics would argue that the fledgling movement is unable to mobilise the Malay grassroots unlike PAS, which has opted to skip Bersih 4.
On the same note, there are those who claim that since Gerakan Harapan Baru is new, it lacks the machinery and finances to bring the crowd.
Observers also noted that since DAP and PKR ostracised PAS and its president Abdul Hadi Awang, the sentiment on the ground is the opposition is now controlled by the predominantly-Chinese DAP.
"The Malays in rural areas have always been wary of DAP, whom its rivals accuse of attempting to undermine the special position of the Malays and Islam.
"Though this is political demonisation and DAP is attempting to alter the perception by attracting more Malays into its fold, fear perpetuated for decades is embedded in the Malay psyche, especially those in rural areas," said one observer.
