‘Citizens’ Declaration’ is Dr M’s brainchild, not the opposition’s, Muhyiddin says
(Malay Mail Online) – The “Citizens’ Declaration” calling for the prime minister’s removal was first formulated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his comrades without any interference from the federal opposition, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
The opposition and several NGOs only joined the movement later, when the declaration gained public support, he added amid criticisms that the initiative’s Umno backers were being influenced by DAP and its allies.
“This means our efforts received the support of civil society, non-governmental organisations and the opposition.
“It is quite extraordinary, this initiative done with the opposition and those of the same view, and it was not us going over there, and not because (we were) trapped by the DAP, or with (DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang or the opposition,” Muhyiddin was quoted saying in an interview with local daily Sinar Harian.
“They (critics) mentioned Kit Siang only but did not mention (PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed) Azmin (Ali), (former MCA president Tun Dr) Ling Liong Sik, did not mention other friends that were present. It’s like some kind of strange phobia,” he said.
Muhyiddin also said the joint declaration was not about personalities like him, Dr Mahathir, former Kedah mentri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir or Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
“Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is now in prison has also expressed support. That is extraordinary, because we know the history between Dr Mahathir and Anwar,” he said of the former deputy prime minister.
Last Friday, Dr Mahathir and over 40 Barisan Nasional (BN) veterans, opposition leaders and human rights activists came together to sign a Citizens’ Declaration to campaign for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s removal, with the group now renamed the Save Malaysia movement and aiming to get hundreds of thousands to add on their signatures.
Since then, the movement’s BN supporters have been criticised for aligning with the opposition against the government.
Muhyiddin also denied in today’s Sinar Harian interview that he had joined in the Citizens’ Declaration because he wanted to be prime minister or that he was impatient to do so.
He also claimed that the pact is aimed at saving Umno and country, adding that he felt the responsibility to join it even if it might result in his suspension or sacking from Umno.
“If seen from that angle, I am not a traitor. I am (involved) in efforts to save it (Umno) so we can raise the awareness of Umno and BN members,” he said.
He said Dr Mahathir will draw up a schedule for the movement to explain the objectives of the Citizens’ Declaration to the public.
Issues of institutional reforms will be dealt with at a later stage, with the focus of the pact now to be on removing Najib, he said.
