Dr M explains why Anwar’s release not part of Declaration
(FMT) – Former premier says main aim of the Citizens’ Declaration must be to remove Najib Razak as PM first before all other demands can fall into place.
Including the release of imprisoned former Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as part of the demands of the Citizens’ Declaration will only result in a split of support for the movement, says former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mahathir said this at a forum on the Public Accounts Committee’s findings on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) last night, when answering a participant’s call for him to make Anwar’s release part of the movement’s mission.
“If we were to decide on Anwar and this or that, we will be split apart. No reforms or changes can take place while Najib (Razak) is the prime minister, so our stand is that Najib must be removed first and everything else can follow later.
“We must, for now, unite for only one goal as in any battle, the best strategy is to increase your friends and reduce your enemies,” said Mahathir to over 1,000 people present at the forum held in IDCC here.
“We must have rational thinking that is based on careful consideration. If we follow our desires, believe me, we will not succeed,” he continued.
