Joining hands with opposition is Dr M’s last-ditch attempt to oust Najib, Utusan says

(MMO) – Joining hands with the federal opposition to sign a citizens’ declaration rejecting the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s last-ditch attempt to try and push for the prime minister’s resignation, Utusan Malaysia said today.

In an editorial published in its Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia, the Malay daily claimed that opposition leaders such as Lim Kit Siang and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are the ones who benefited from the citizens’ declaration signed last Friday, as it is not their last resort.

“Joining with the opposition is Dr Mahathir’s last resort, but it is not the same for Lim and Anwar,” said the editorial, written using the pseudonym Awang Selamat.

However, the paper praised PAS, which did not join the declaration, for not falling into Lim’s “trap.”

“Dr Mahathir has now chosen the twisted way while forgetting that the many movements that were formed to topple him when he was a PM did not succeed,” it said.

“He was defended by loyal Umno leaders. It was him who stressed on the concept of supporting the government of the day,” it added.

On Friday, Dr Mahathir led a group comprising prominent politicians from both sides of the fence and civil society leaders pushing for a change of government.

Dr Mahathir told a press conference at the Universiti Malaya Alumni clubhouse here that a vote of no-confidence against Najib in Parliament was among the methods the group would consider, though he added that this would require the support from the majority, including lawmakers from Umno that is the largest party in the House.