Lau said the group’s voice is no longer heard and that it appears less aggressive now compared to when Barisan Nasional governed the country before the 14th general election in 2018.

He said the last time he saw Bersih speaking out was during the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election last year, when a minister announced allocations for the constituency, a move considered a violation of campaigning rules.

Bersih has been silent since then, he said, as if there are no more issues to champion.

“If it were a BN government in power, Bersih would already have taken to the streets, there’s no doubt about it. But where are they now?

“Bersih has lost its direction, with no clear vision. Bersih is nowhere to be seen anymore,” he told a press conference at the Gerakan headquarters here today.

Asked if Bersih should return to its original mission, Lau said it is much necessary and justified.

“The reason Bersih was established was to ensure free, fair and clean elections,” he said.

On Wednesday, Bersih and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) issued a joint statement criticising the Dang Wangi police chief’s call to the public not to take part in the Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah planned for tomorrow.

They stressed that the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the freedom to assembly and of expression are guaranteed under the constitution.

The organisers of the anti-corruption rally had been at loggerheads with the authorities over a requirement to obtain consent from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to use Dataran Merdeka, and the area outside the Sogo department store, as gathering points.

However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today the rally can proceed without issue as the government has granted it permission.