In the not so distant past, Malaysians marched side by side, regardless of race or religion, to demand change. The Bersih rallies were not just protests; they were a declaration. A declaration that we, the rakyat, could no longer tolerate corruption, gerrymandering, or the abuse of power. Streets flooded with yellow shirts, chants for justice echoed across generations, and tears of hope mixed with the sting of tear gas. We were not just Malays, Chinese, or Indians we were Malaysians.
Before Bersih, another moment of defiance had already lit the fire: the Hindraf rallies. In 2007, thousands of Malaysian Indians took to the streets to highlight decades of marginalisation. Though met with swift suppression, the Hindraf movement shook the foundations of the nation’s consciousness. It spoke for those long left unheard. And it reminded the country that when the system forgets you, raising your voice becomes a duty.
These two movements Hindraf and Bersih while different in focus, carried a similar soul. They gave birth to a generation unafraid to speak truth to power. They gave the rest of Malaysia a glimpse into what shared purpose and multiracial solidarity could look like.
During Bersih and Hindraf rallies, there was 100% hindrance from the authorities. The government imposed outright bans, and police roadblocks were set up at every possible entry point to stop people from participating. Yet, Malaysians came. In yellow shirts and orange shirts, on foot, on motorbikes, in buses. Even as some were arrested, handcuffed, and charged in court, the fire in their hearts never dimmed. The more the system tried to stop them, the more determined they became. That was the spirit: unwavering, unafraid, and undeniably united.
Fast forward to today, a new movement surfaces: “I Notice the March Participants”, an offshoot under the banner of Turun Anwar. It sought to raise a voice against broken promises, rising costs, and political fatigue. But something was missing.
No, many things were missing.
The march came and went with barely a ripple across communities. The participation was visibly skewed, and this time, noticeably absent were the Chinese and Indian communities. There was no mass mobilisation, no spiritual urgency. Instead of a sea of Malaysians, we saw a fragmented crowd, unsure of its own purpose and direction.
So what happened to that spirit of unity?
The Power of Bersih and Hindraf: Symbols of Multiracial Courage
Bersih had its flaws, but it had one unbeatable strength it united people across racial lines. Churches opened their doors to Muslim protesters needing a place to pray. Chinese uncles handed water bottles to Malay aunties. Indian youth stood in front of riot police to protect others. It wasn’t perfect, but it was honest. It was felt.
Similarly, Hindraf may have been born out of one community’s pain, but it rang a bell that echoed far beyond. It was a reminder that neglect anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Both movements taught us that silence and fragmentation only serve the powerful.
Turun Anwar’s march, on the other hand, lacked that same emotional heartbeat. It didn’t feel like a rakyat movement it felt like a partisan echo, bouncing within a political chamber that forgot who truly bears the brunt of injustice.
Where Is the Call That Speaks to All?
The fact that large portions of the Malaysian population sat this one out isn’t just apathy. It’s a message. When people don’t show up, it’s because they don’t feel seen. They don’t believe their presence will make a difference, or worse, they no longer believe the cause includes them.
If a march cannot speak to the stall owner in Klang, the auntie in Ipoh, the student in Sabah, and the uncle in Brickfields, then what exactly is it speaking for?
Unity Is Not a Given It Must Be Earned
We must stop taking unity for granted. Malaysians didn’t wake up one day and decide to stand together. That solidarity was earned through trust, shared purpose, and consistent integrity.
Today’s movements must do more than point fingers they must bridge. They must listen. They must make space. Not just for one group, but for all who bleed the same frustrations over inflation, broken promises, and shallow leadership.
A Wake-Up Call, Not a Dismissal
This is not an attempt to shame the recent marchers. In fact, every attempt to protest against political decay deserves reflection and respect. But if a movement fails to connect with the very people it claims to fight for, then something deeper must be confronted.
The question is not why people didn’t march. The question is why they didn’t feel called to.
The Future Is Not in One Rally It’s in Rebuilding Trust
The Malaysian spirit isn’t dead but it’s tired. It has been betrayed too many times. Unity now requires more than slogans; it requires clarity, humility, and inclusion.
If we want to see a rakyat movement rise again with the strength of Bersih and the moral urgency of Hindraf, then we must return to what made them powerful: the belief that all Malaysians, regardless of race or background, are fighting for the same future.
Until then, the silence from many Malaysians during recent protests should not be misunderstood it’s not indifference. It’s disappointment.
And maybe, just maybe, it's also a quiet warning.
Annan Vaithegi - Malaysian voice rooted in storytelling and reflection, believing that the memory of our struggles is the map to our future.
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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