If yellow is your favorite color, it won’t make a fashion statement in Malaysia, unfortunately. Malaysia has added a ban on clothing that is yellow and which contains the words “Bersih 4” to a clampdown on printed materials promoting Bersih rally.
In 2016, the Malaysian government banned yellow clothing after thousands of protesters wearing yellow T-shirts flooded the streets of Kuala Lumpur and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister.
Since then, anyone wearing yellow can be arrested under the assumption that they are protesting the government.
Mary Chia, a 56-year-old retired teacher, told Bloomberg: “I was a bit scared to come to the protest in a yellow t-shirt.
“But I am here. I want a better Malaysia for my family.”
Unrest was sparked in the country after a report accused Najib of receiving billions of ringgit – the national currency – in his private accounts in 2013.
Najib denied all the allegations and retained the support of senior officials in the ruling United Malays National Organisation party.
The Wall Street Journal reported that around $700 million may have moved through government agencies and companies linked to state investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad, and ended up in accounts with Najib’s name ahead of the 2013 elections.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said the money was from Middle East donors and not the state investment company. But Najib has denied taking money for personal gain.
The bans were permitted under the controversial Printing Presses and Publications Act, to ensure national security.
The Act gives Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Premier, wide-ranging powers over print media, books and any other form of publication, and the ability to prohibit items, including the 35,000 T-shirts that Bersih has sold ahead of the demonstration.
Those found possessing such items can be fined up to RM5,000 (S$1,680), and those guilty of producing or distributing them can be jailed for up to three years.
Datuk Seri Zahid described the items as being “likely to be prejudicial to public order, likely to be prejudicial to security, likely to be contrary to any law and likely to be prejudicial to the national interest”, and therefore “absolutely prohibited throughout Malaysia”.
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