malaysia

4 ‘Save Malaysia’ campaigns, many focuses, one goal

BY MD IZWAN
March 10, 2016

The many movements calling for reforms have different agenda and focuses, but they all seek to oust Datuk Seri Najib Razak from power. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 10, 2016.Last Friday's Citizens' Declaration is just one of four distinct movements calling for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's ouster, yet anti-Najib forces see the crowded scene as a boon rather than a cause for confusion.

The movements – Pakatan Harapan's "Save Malaysia Consensus", Mazlan Aliman's "Save Malaysia Coalition", Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's "Save Malaysia", and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "Citizens' Declaration", exist concurrently because they differ in terms of what they fight for, their leaders say.

They say the only common point is their desire to see Najib step down.

"I think all have good, similar intentions, but the details vary from one movement to another. And that is what preventing them from coming together as one," said Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Pakatan Harapan's chief secretary.

Saifuddin (pic, right) said the Save Malaysia Consensus had four thrusts: removing Najib, destroying Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), freeing former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and completing reforms of key institutions such as the judiciary, among others.

He said Pakatan Harapan was willing to work with anyone to ensure Najib was toppled, even its nemesis Dr Mahathir or former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Mazlan said the existence of separate movements to remove Najib should not be seen as a problem.

"Having so many movements is a good thing. It will strengthen our struggle, which is to save Malaysia. Besides, we have to celebrate the differences of opinions on this matter," said Mazlan (pic, left), who heads National Felda Settlers' Children's Association (Anak).

He said each movement focused on different issues, with the main common point being their opposition towards Najib.

"For Anak, for example, we focus on our efforts to save Felda. Dr Mahathir is more focused on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue and the RM2.6 billion donation," he said.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Citizens' Declaration launched on March 4 is seen as a rallying point for the different movements calling for the prime minister's ouster. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 10, 2016.Dr Mahathir's Citizens' Declaration clearly had an impact on the government, and would help in coordinating future programmes among the different movements, he added.

Zaid, the former de facto law minister, echoed Mazlan's opinion that having various anti-Najib movements existing side by side was not a problem.

"We have no problem with the movements, as long as the goal is the same," he said.

Zaid (pic) said the movements reflected the people's wish for the groups to unite, and to ensure that future programmes were more effective.

"One of our goals is to draw up a more organised and effective plan.

"We don't want to stop other groups, we just want to make sure the message and struggle is uniform, which is to make sure Najib steps down," he said. – March 10, 2016.