The BERSIH 5.0 is happening next weekend (November 19th), and with the Red Shirt clowns threatening to create troubles without any efforts from the authorities to stop them. We have to put in some efforts to stay safe ourselves.

Here's some tips for those of you that's planning to join the rally, just to be on the safe side. It might not be as smooth running like BERSIH 4.0 that's well controlled with the only trouble being created by the Red Shirt baboons on the other side of the fence against RELA/Cops.

1. What to carry On yourself:

• Mask to help you breath better if the authorities choose to fire tear gas in your direction.
• Goggles to keep the tear gas away from your eyes. These days, there are those in the market with holes at the side so make sure you buy the ones without any holes.
• Rain Coat in case it rains or in case the FRU decide to give you an early shower
• Change of Clothes so that you can change out of your clothes at the end of the rally.
• Waist Pouch to keep all your important documents & money nicely wrapped inside a plastic bag and make sure it's big enough to fit the above mentioned items.
• Phone (with waterproof casing) to make those important calls if you get into trouble.
• Small Packet of Salt/Salt Water in Spray Bottles will come in useful to neutralise the effects of the tear gas and to avoid chocking.
• Water to keep you hydrated during the long march. Please throw the bottle(s) into the rubbish bin and don't litter if you are using disposable bottles.

Try not to bring too many items to the rally as you would want to be able to move freely. Keep your Jewellery, Wallet, rings, sharp objects at home. If you choose to bring an umbrella, use one of those collapsable ones so you can easily store it away when you are not using it.

2. Important Number in your phone. 

Make sure your phone is properly charged in case of emergency. Some of the handy numbers you should have in your phone. A team of lawyers from the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur), known as the Urgent Arrest Team, will provide legal assistance in the event of arrests.

Members of the public can contact the urgent arrest team at the following telephone numbers (these are from BERSIH 4.0 so it might have changed and I'll update with the new numbers closer to the date when BAR provide those details) :

(1) 018-321 1506
(2) 011-1214 0877

Please send a SMS to one of these numbers, and provide the following information:

(1) Your name;
(2) The name, IC number and telephone number of the arrested person; and
(3) The police station to which the arrested person has been taken (if known).

The urgent arrest team will try to contact the arrested person and to arrange legal assistance as quickly as possible.

Also, create a group in your mobile Chat apps so you can leave a quick message to your friends if you get separated from the group you are with. Aside from Whatsapp, you can use the FIRECHAT app as it works over Bluetooth and WiFi so you can communicate with a masses around you even when your mobile network is down.

Among my friends and I, we uses Zello, which works like a walkie talkie system and can transmit data, images and recording across easily on top of FireChat as a back-up when we get separated.

3. Determine the locations of the meeting point. 

If you are going with your group of friends, meet up with the group before proceeding to the meeting points, if you decide to meet at the location directly, determine a landmark to use as your check-in location. A lot of people will be showing up at each of the location and it is advisable to plan ahead.

Here's a reference on Google Map for the KL rally. Try not to drive into KL but use the LRT as your mode of transportation. The authorities already announced that they are not giving approval for the BERSIH 5.0 and Dataran Merdeka will be on lock down.

 

4. Don't get involved in fights. 

As we are constantly bombarded by the media as a reminder, the Red Shirt Hooligans are expected to attack the BERSIH 5.0 rally just to make it look bad, they will no doubt have people embedded within the masses to help start the fights to give themselves an excuse to retaliate. If you see it happening, DO NOT JOIN IN! Move away from them and keep yourself safe.

You need to be vigilant and look out for one another. If you spot anyone that looks and acts suspiciously, inform the committees that will be stationed around the rally stations so that they will take notice. If anything do happen, these guys will move in and stop those guys.

5. Head to the nearest Sanctuary 

Hopefully the places of worships will open their doors again to Rally Goers as places of Sanctuary when things get heated up. For now, here's the list based on the previous rally. They might do that again this round or more might open up so as I get the updates, I'll update this list accordingly as well.

 - St John's Cathedral in Bukit Nanas
- St Anthony's Church in Pudu
- Fatima Church in Brickfields (Jalan Tun Sambanthan)

If you have friends coming into Malaysia for a holiday that weekend, do let them know that this is happening and if they don't want to get into any messy situation that'll spoil their holiday, to stay away from the areas that will be used as gathering points for BERSIH 5.0.

For those attending the rally, please stay safe and stay calm.