On Feb 3, 2020, three former political adversaries hatched a new alliance which led to the demise of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.

The venue was the Sheraton Hotel and the name would be forever etched in the Malaysian political lexicon.

Umno, PAS and Bersatu had formed the union to safeguard the interests of race and religion which, according to them, were eroding under the rule of ‘liberal’ marionettes cavorting to DAP's tune.

Months later, this pact began to unravel when Umno, whose leaders were facing the prospect of incarceration, plotted their return to the seat of power.

Another political coup was orchestrated, and the third prime minister was sworn in since the 2018 general election.

With the situation in constant flux, those who struggled and voted for change were crushed, disillusioned and repulsed.

Former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan was one of them. “When the Sheraton Move happened and the pandemic became worse, all of us felt helpless,” she told Malaysiakini in a recent interview.

“For a long time, I too felt shattered and gave up hope and thought perhaps others would find the energy to continue the fight.

“We watched the unnecessary Emergency declaration and suspension of Parliament and many did speak up.”

However, Ambiga stressed that recent events made it evident that silence is not an option.

“We saw Umno and the gang resorting to some of its old tricks with the Securities Commission and the judiciary. The law did not seem to matter, and...