Dr M, old foes and activists team up in ‘citizens’ declaration’

(Malay Mail Online) – Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other politicians across the divide have written a declaration criticising the government that has been signed by more than 30 Malaysians, including prominent activists. 

Malay Mail Online understands that the group, which includes former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih 2.0 chair Maria Chin Abdullah, will announce the declaration tomorrow, calling for the removal of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak through legitimate means.

“It’s a citizens’ declaration,” a source close to the group told Malay Mail Online on condition of anonymity.

The source said that among the 30 over citizens who signed the declaration were Barisan Nasional (BN) veterans like former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and former Umno minister Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, as well as former Umno leaders Datuk Hamidah Osman and Anina Saadudin who were sacked by the Malay ruling party for purportedly criticising the leadership.

Former Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, both previously with Umno, are also signatories, said the source.

According to the source, among the opposition figures who signed the declaration were DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, PAS election director Datuk Mustafa Ali, as well as Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu.

Malay Mail Online understands that the declaration was penned jointly by Dr Mahathir and about five to six other politicians from both BN and the opposition.

In a news conference earlier today, Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah denied reports that the PKR-DAP-Amanah coalition and Dr Mahathir were working together to bring down the Najib administration.

Saifuddin also said Pakatan Harapan had nothing to do with the former prime minister’s press conference tomorrow.