SHAH ALAM, 27 March 2016 – Following the introduction of the Citizen’s Declaration, the People’s Congress took place at the Shah Alam Convention Centre. This congress was an initiative to democratise the Declaration and to answer the many questions that arose since the Declaration was issued.
19 speakers took the stage to address delegates and members of the press. The 19 were Zaid Ibrahim, Asia’s top debater Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Malaysian Federation of UMNO Branch Leaders (GKCM) leader Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman, Kuala Langat Member of Parliament (MP) and Malaysian Unions Congress president Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, Democratic Action Party (DAP) vice chairman and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar, Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, PAS Salor assemblyperson Husam Musa, former Malaysian Indian Congress secretary-general S Murugesan, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, former Bersih 2.0 chairperson and Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan, People’s Justice Party (PKR) vice-president Rafizi Ramli, former Kedah chief minister Mukhriz Mahathir, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, former Deputy Prime Minister Muhiyiddin Yassin and Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Each speaker was given 11 minutes to deliver their speeches.
The common point that was brought up by all speakers was unity. Syed Saddiq said that we live in unique times, where all Malaysians can unite to save Malaysia and that is the aspiration of Malaysian youth. Maria Chin was pleased that despite having different ideologies, everyone at the congress was present for one cause: to pressure Najib’s resignation in order to save Malaysia.
Azmin Ali said that while many leaders from political parties and non- government organisations (NGOs) were invited to sign the Declaration, many are still sceptical about it. He went on to say that they need to understand that the Declaration does not belong to one person, but to all Malaysians. Having been arrested during Mahathir’s regime, he stated that this is the time to put bitterness away and as better people take positive actions for the future in order to restore the rule of law.
Muhiyiddin was confident that Malaysia is moving towards a matured democracy, as leaders of different parties and NGOs can now sit together for the betterment of Malaysia. The fiery Kamarul Azman said that the opposition leaders could have remained silent and allow the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to deteriorate further, but because they love the country, they saw the need to team up with Mahathir to save Malaysia.
Muhiyiddin is puzzled on why many of his friends in the cabinet are still supporting Najib, even after reading various reports regarding the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Murugesan asked how long more his friends in Barisan Nasional will stay silent. He said that loyalty to leaders must cease when the leaders are not loyal to the People.
Mahfuz Omar congratulated UMNO attendees for being brave enough to stand up for what is right. Ambiga told those in the National Front (BN) that it is time to stand up and speak out, no matter how tough it can be to do so. She urged them to be on the right side of history.
Talks of institutional reform was constantly being heard. Maria said that due to a long time practice of flattering those in power, public institutions like the Election Committee and the judiciary have failed. This caused separation of powers to be non-existent. Therefore, replacing the current ruler is not sufficient, as the rules must also be changed. This will bring about institutional reforms and progress to democracy.
Husam Musa stated that the sanctity of national institutions is undermined and that power rests in the hands of only one man. He went on to say that all Malaysians, regardless of race and which party they belong to, share a common right, which is to reject a leader who is corrupt.
Ambiga urged Malaysians to reject leaders who behave as if Malaysia belongs only to them. “We will not stay quiet to the corruption that rampages all aspects of our lives,” she said. “They must remember that they took an oath to uphold the Constitution and to serve the People.” She stated that Malaysia must move forward with institutional reforms. Otherwise, the same troubles will arise again.
Teresa Kok, Lim Kit Siang and Azmin Ali had lamented that Parliament had failed. Lim Kit Siang said that while the whole world was discussing the 1MDB scandal, MPs were still not allowed to discuss the issue in Parliament.
The woes of the People were not forgotten. Prominent student leader who has strong support from the grassroots, Fahmi Zainol questioned the government’s decision to suspend Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships in order to save costs, but splurged on purchasing a new private jet for the Prime Minister. He also stated that the government had reduced the annual allocations for education for the past 2 consecutive years, an unprecedented move.
Abdullah Sani claimed that he has been getting notes stating that people are retrenched from their jobs on a daily basis. Rafizi Ramli said that during his visits to other states, he constantly hears stories of the People’s hardships. He went on to say that Najib has caused these hardships. Mukhriz Mahathir accused the Goods and Services Tax for bringing the worst level of suffering to Kedah’s rice paddy farmers.
Mahathir was the last speaker and was given unlimited time to deliver his speech. While he walked towards the microphone, loud chants of “Reformasi” could be heard. “Reformasi” was used by many who opposed him during the Reformasi protests in 1998. He started his speech by explaining his role in the appointment of Najib as Prime Minister. He admitted that he misjudged Najib’s character, saying that he thought Najib would make a good Prime Minister like his late father, Abdul Razak Hussein. Mahathir stated that Najib uses money to buy over the support of the People and that this is another form of corruption. He went on to say that the People want economic stability and not mere handouts.
Mahathir claimed that when he confronted Najib regarding the massive spending of money, Najib replied “cash is king”. Mahathir said that it is a sickness because Najib puts money above everything else. He also went on to say that for a Prime Minister to have such huge amounts of money in his private bank account, it must be a serious crime, regardless of where the money came from.
Mahathir questioned why former Attorney-General (A-G) Gani Patail was escorted out of his office by policemen on his last day in office. He claimed that it was to prevent Gani Patail from taking along any documents that would be detrimental to Najib.
The former premier challenged current A-G Mohamed Apandi Ali to take an oath of innocence in a mosque. Stating that all Apandi Ali had to do was to name a mosque and Mahathir will organize the event himself.
Mahathir said that once the Citizen’s Declaration has garnered 1 million signatures, it will be presented to the Malay Rulers. He admitted that the Malay Rulers do not have the power to remove Najib but claimed that with pressure from the People, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will have to look into the matter.
