More than a ‘mental revolution’ – Zaid Ibrahim

It was a hot Friday afternoon when old and young gathered together in a crowded room to lend support to the Citizen’s Declaration calling on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step down.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad read the declaration. It was wonderful to see old political foes talking fondly to one another  – Datuk Seri Azmin Ali with Dr Mahathir, Lim Kit Siang with Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan with former Umno leaders – and to see my old PKR friend Tian Chua wearing a suit.

Former PAS stalwart Mohamad Sabu was no less impressive in his black suit. The times they are a changing.

Then came the questions from the press. You could see there were a lot of cynics and sceptics in the room. They wanted to know what was different this time that would make Najib even listen to the demands.

They asked if the opposition and the NGOs could trust Dr Mahathir. They wanted to know if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s early release from prison was part of the “deal”, and they asked who would be prime minister if Najib stepped down.  Finally, “what’s next after the declaration?” they demanded.

You can always see the glass as half empty or half full. When we say that we want Najib to go, we mean two things: we want to see Najib vacate the office of Prime Minister and, secondly, we want the dirt in government and unlawful acts removed.

The declaration is an affirmation by the people that they no longer want dirty and unscrupulous leaders.

I see the gathering on March 4 as a great start to a long and arduous journey. It is historic and will have a great impact on the next election. This is the time to start preparing for a “mental revolution” of the rakyat who must know that their best interests can be served only by leaders who are clean.  The moment of truth has arrived.

Umno and the Barisan Nasional’s timid response to March 4 is also significant. They said that the Prime Minister can only be removed from office by means of a general election. “Wait for the polls,” the PM’s office blared.

Did they remove Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah menteri besar by election? So what are they talking about? It’s ironic, because they are the ones who set the precedent. In any case, what makes them think that March 4 isn’t the first step towards removing this government for good at the polls?

The declaration we signed on March 4 may, on the surface, appear simplistic and “unreal” for some, but it signifies a momentous time in history. It’s a declaration by the people who are rejecting corrupt leaders. This has never happened before.

Corruption has always been seen as a “normal” part of political life, but this time the scale of the grand theft has shocked the rakyat to their core. We cannot tolerate such conduct any more. Mark my words: the main issues in the next election will be about corruption and abuse of power.

This declaration is also significant because it demonstrates a willingness on the part of the people, despite their deep political differences, to be united after this government has allowed this nation to be shamed and ridiculed repeatedly on the world stage.

For former Umno leaders like Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin and a thousand Umno branch leaders to be willing to sit down and work together with Lim Kit Siang and Bersih for the good of the nation is highly significant. It’s a watershed event. Never have we seen this kind collaboration in the last 50 years of the nation’s history. Umno is in delirium, judging from their response so far. Equally hot under the collar are those cynics and chauvinistic groups who do not want unity of the diverse groups in  the country.

The strong presence of Amanah leaders at the event means that they, who were once Dr Mahathir’s harshest critics (I can remember a few choice words that Mat Sabu used in the past to describe Dr Mahathir) are now willing to work with UMNO leaders to get rid of this dirty government.

Once Mat Sabu, Husam Musa and other Amanah leaders roam the towns and villages with the help of Muhyiddin and other Umno operators, all hell will break loose in Johor, Kelantan, Perak and Kedah.

This collaboration will also be historic for marking the start of PAS’s demise. PAS members will never forgive their President Datuk Seri Hadi Awang after the general election of 2018.

The fact that Anwar is supporting Dr Mahathir’s  initiatives will also be remembered for a long time. Anwar has shown the world that personal travails do not obscure his vision and his concern for the country. This will endear him to many voters, especially the young. I would like to go to Sungai Buloh to shake his hand, but I am not sure they will allow me.

The event of March 4 is also an opportunity for reformist forces to take a step back for some self-examination. The bickering of the past must not be repeated. Try to resolve the big issues early, so we can march towards 2018 together confidently. They should see this newfound collaboration as a second chance not to be missed. – zaid.my, March 8, 2016.

* Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is a lawyer turned politician and a former minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.