Chronology Of Bersih 9 July Afternoon
12.20pm: Pudu Plaza – At Jalan Landak, Pudu, some 200 people have started to gather, preparing for the rally. Police are scattered about, searching the protestors’ bags but take no further action. A small quarrel breaks out between protestors and Pudu security personnel when latter try to chase them away. Some foodstalls and restaurants are still open, and a durian stall is seen offering protestors a taste of its wares.
DAP leaders who have shown up include Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, PJ Utara MP Tony Pua, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Ching Tong, Segambut MP Lim Lip Éng, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Lukut Adun Ean Yong Tin Sin, Pasir Pinjir Adun Thomas Soo, Bahau Adun Teo Kok Seong.
12.45pm: Dataran Merdeka – Police have fired tear gas at a group of protestors heading towards the area. The cannisters land near the Bar Council building. This group is believed to started from the former KTM headquarters nearby. The crowd is estimated to be 1,000.
12.50pm: About 3,000 to 4,000 people are marching from Petaling Street in downtown Kuala Lumpur to Stadium Negara. They are chanting “Bersih, Bersih, Pilihanraya” and “Hidup, Hidup, Rakyat”.
Six middle-aged protestors began a rendition of Negaraku, immediately receiving strong response from the crowd which sings along. Dr Wong Fort Pin, one of the six singers, said they are celebrating peace. “We are walking for a better Malaysia,” he said.
12.51pm: Hilton Hotel – PKR leaders Nurul Izzah Anwar, Syed Husin Ali, Lateefah Koya arrive at Anwar Ibrahim’s hotel room. Local and foreign media are at the lobby.
12.55pm: Pudu Plaza – DAP leader Teresa Kok is defying her ban and leading protesters to start the walk towards Merdeka Stadium. The crowd is shouting, “Bersih, bersih,” “Hidup rakyat” , “Rakyat sudah bangun,” and “Daulat Tuanku.”