Malik Imtiaz and Sreekant Pillai out of MCLM

(The Star) – Prominent human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar is the latest personality to disassociate himself from the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) chaired by Raja Petra Kamarudin.

Joining him is Sreekant Pillai, a lawyer and son of veteran journalist M.G.G Pillai.

In December 2010, both had been picked by MCLM to contest in the next general election.

Their decision to stay away from MCLM came following the resignation of MCLM president Haris Ibrahim after Raja Petra’s statement that the movement would not be fielding candidates in the polls.

Haris said Raja Petra (or RPK) was undermining efforts to end Barisan Nasional’s (BN) rule.

Another MCLM member, Dr Nedunchelian Vengu, said he would go ahead to contest in the polls.

The candidacy of the 43-year-old dentist was announced by MCLM last July. He is said to be fielded in the Kapar parliamentary constituency currently held by PKR’s S. Manikavasagam.

Malik Imtiaz said he was still committed to further the reform agenda although not a member of MCLM.

He said Raja Petra’s statements had shed a “less than positive light” on MCLM.

“That is regrettable as it is an impression that has undermined the credibility of the MCLM and its efforts.

“It has also undermined the tremendous efforts of a number of highly committed and selfless individuals to develop various civil society initiatives under the banner of MCLM,” he wrote in his blog.