Can ‘Save Malaysia’ really save Malaysia?
This article has earlier appeared in Beritadaily.com on 26/3/2016
Our nation is now in terrible darkness, both socially and economically. A lot of things happening in Putrajaya have undermined the confidence of the people and the international community. The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and its dominant party Umno are becoming like a tumour growing in the heart of our nation.
Why? It is all because of the alleged RM2.6 billion scandal of Prime Minister Najib Razak and the RM42 billion debt chalked up by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), where Najib chairs its advisory board. The Najib government has given a new twist to the definition of “donation” based on the RM2.6 billion channelled into Najib’s personal account.
Amid this brouhaha and political acrimony, here comes the Citizens’ Declaration initiated by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. On March 4, Mahathir, who is Najib’s chief critic, joined hands with political leaders from both sides of the divide and civil society figures to sign the declaration aimed at pressuring Najib to resign as prime minister so as to save Malaysia from its current crisis.
Certainly, the unprecedented gathering of political friends and foes took the people by surprise. But many also wonder if this movement will ever last or succeed in driving the prime minister from his seat.
Some opposition leaders and civil society champions were seen rushing to support the move, for a variety of reasons. Some were taking advantage of what they believe is an opportunity to effect real change, and yet others were simply riding on the momentum to take advantage of one another.
Umno splitting?
Many observers are of the view that Umno is being torn apart following the sacking of Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister and his suspension as Umno deputy president, and also the ousting of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah menteri besar and Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal from the Cabinet.
Former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chairman Khairuddin Abu Hassan has also been sacked from the party and prosecuted for his relentless pursuit of the RM2.6 billion donation scandal.
These Umno rebels have found support among a group of Umno branch chairmen, who teamed up as Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) to mount pressure on Najib, who is Umno president, to quit. GKCM is now on a nationwide drive to explain to Umno members its anti-Najib stand and the current political crisis.
On the other hand, plans were reportedly being hatched by Umno supreme council members who are strongly behind Najib to have the rebellious faction, including Muhyiddin, sacked from the party in order to curb the resistance from within.
If the sackings happen as predicted, there will be a massive split within Umno in some of the major states, particularly Kedah, Johor, Perak and Sabah. However, the top Umno leaders aligned to the party president are adamant that any impact to such cleansing will be minimal.
So, what does this Save Malaysia mean to these Umno rebels? Save Umno, Save BN?
Role of opposition and civil groups
Leaders of the opposition parties and civil societies who embraced Mahathir in the Citizens’ Declaration initiative have been criticised by some for allegedly abandoning their struggle for real institutional reforms.
Let’s not rush into labelling them with such words. The majority of the opposing front stepped forward in the belief that differences should be temporarily set aside to focus on removing a corrupt leader from power to prevent further power abuse that would jeopardise the entire nation.
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin reasoned that the electoral reform group decided to lend support because the declaration also demanded some institutional reforms that the group is currently pursuing.
Others had decided to support as they had seen other options as ineffective, insecure or risky while some opposition leaders had also acknowledged their weakness in such coordination.
Veterans and leaders from PKR, DAP and Amanah were present at the launch of Citizens’ Declaration. So too were Muhyiddin and Mukhriz. But the presidents of PKR and PAS, and secretary-general of DAP were conspicuously absent.
What next?
The concern over this Citizens’ Declaration is whether there exists a plan on how to manage the nation in a post-Najib era. Will there be a grand coalition to govern or a caretaker administration will take over this nation until a general election is called?
Even if this Save Malaysia campaign succeeds in driving out Najib, what next and who will succeed him? Same batch of old guards within Umno? If this is the case what is the purpose of Save Malaysia when in actual fact Umno’s old guards are still in charge?
Can this Save Malaysia guarantee us a snap election to let the people determine what is best for the entire nation if Najib’s departure takes place?
Malaysia deserves better; we Malaysians deserve better. If there is no real change, we would only be running round and round and round, coming back to the same old problem at the end of the day.
So, can these politicians give us some clear picture on what kind of a better Malaysia they are fighting for? Is this for our people or only among themselves?
Our nation is now in terrible darkness, both socially and economically. A lot of things happening in Putrajaya have undermined the confidence of the people and the international community. The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and its dominant party Umno are becoming like a tumour growing in the heart of our nation.
Why? It is all because of the alleged RM2.6 billion scandal of Prime Minister Najib Razak and the RM42 billion debt chalked up by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), where Najib chairs its advisory board. The Najib government has given a new twist to the definition of “donation” based on the RM2.6 billion channelled into Najib’s personal account.
Amid this brouhaha and political acrimony, here comes the Citizens’ Declaration initiated by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. On March 4, Mahathir, who is Najib’s chief critic, joined hands with political leaders from both sides of the divide and civil society figures to sign the declaration aimed at pressuring Najib to resign as prime minister so as to save Malaysia from its current crisis.
Certainly, the unprecedented gathering of political friends and foes took the people by surprise. But many also wonder if this movement will ever last or succeed in driving the prime minister from his seat.
Some opposition leaders and civil society champions were seen rushing to support the move, for a variety of reasons. Some were taking advantage of what they believe is an opportunity to effect real change, and yet others were simply riding on the momentum to take advantage of one another.
Umno splitting?
Many observers are of the view that Umno is being torn apart following the sacking of Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister and his suspension as Umno deputy president, and also the ousting of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah menteri besar and Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal from the Cabinet.
Former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chairman Khairuddin Abu Hassan has also been sacked from the party and prosecuted for his relentless pursuit of the RM2.6 billion donation scandal.
These Umno rebels have found support among a group of Umno branch chairmen, who teamed up as Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM) to mount pressure on Najib, who is Umno president, to quit. GKCM is now on a nationwide drive to explain to Umno members its anti-Najib stand and the current political crisis.
On the other hand, plans were reportedly being hatched by Umno supreme council members who are strongly behind Najib to have the rebellious faction, including Muhyiddin, sacked from the party in order to curb the resistance from within.
If the sackings happen as predicted, there will be a massive split within Umno in some of the major states, particularly Kedah, Johor, Perak and Sabah. However, the top Umno leaders aligned to the party president are adamant that any impact to such cleansing will be minimal.
So, what does this Save Malaysia mean to these Umno rebels? Save Umno, Save BN?
Role of opposition and civil groups
Leaders of the opposition parties and civil societies who embraced Mahathir in the Citizens’ Declaration initiative have been criticised by some for allegedly abandoning their struggle for real institutional reforms.
Let’s not rush into labelling them with such words. The majority of the opposing front stepped forward in the belief that differences should be temporarily set aside to focus on removing a corrupt leader from power to prevent further power abuse that would jeopardise the entire nation.
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin reasoned that the electoral reform group decided to lend support because the declaration also demanded some institutional reforms that the group is currently pursuing.
Others had decided to support as they had seen other options as ineffective, insecure or risky while some opposition leaders had also acknowledged their weakness in such coordination.
Veterans and leaders from PKR, DAP and Amanah were present at the launch of Citizens’ Declaration. So too were Muhyiddin and Mukhriz. But the presidents of PKR and PAS, and secretary-general of DAP were conspicuously absent.
What next?
The concern over this Citizens’ Declaration is whether there exists a plan on how to manage the nation in a post-Najib era. Will there be a grand coalition to govern or a caretaker administration will take over this nation until a general election is called?
Even if this Save Malaysia campaign succeeds in driving out Najib, what next and who will succeed him? Same batch of old guards within Umno? If this is the case what is the purpose of Save Malaysia when in actual fact Umno’s old guards are still in charge?
Can this Save Malaysia guarantee us a snap election to let the people determine what is best for the entire nation if Najib’s departure takes place?
Malaysia deserves better; we Malaysians deserve better. If there is no real change, we would only be running round and round and round, coming back to the same old problem at the end of the day.
So, can these politicians give us some clear picture on what kind of a better Malaysia they are fighting for? Is this for our people or only among themselves?
