1.2 million signatures for Najib a ‘farce’

According to a source, several hundred foreigners also inked their names on the plain white cloth strung up in Masjid India.

KUALA LUMPUR: The once dormant Indian Muslim Congress of Malaysia (Kimma) has now become an active force in the political arena under the stewardship of its new president Syed Ibrahim Kader.

Recently, the party launched its “One Million Signatures” campaign to show support for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and to back his 1Malaysia programme.

According to Kimma officials, the campaign initiated together with the National Islamic Development Foundation (Yakin), also headed by Syed Ibrahim, took place at 212 locations nationwide.

Syed Ibrahim called the campaign a great success since 1.2 million signatures were collected.

However, a source claimed that there is a twist to the story.

“What happened at Masjid India where the campaign kicked off is far different from the statements made by Kimma leaders,” he said.

According to him, Kimma members hung a long white cloth along the street and allegedly told passers-by to ink their names without revealing the reason.

“Not only Malaysians but several hundred foreigners also signed their names on the cloth,” said the source, who was present during the launch.

He also urged Kimma to reveal all the other 211 places where the campaign took place.

“If it is true, please come forward and show the evidence, like photographs and videos,” he asked.

Targeted areas

Despite numerous attempts, Syed Ibrahim could not be reached for comment.

Previously, Syed Ibrahim was reported as saying that the campaign, launched on July 18, saw a positive start when 100,000 signatures were collected in a single day in Jalan Masjid India and the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

He said more than 2,000 Kimma members were at shopping centres and bus terminals nationwide to collect the signatures.

“We targeted high traffic areas like shopping centres to collect the signatures. In the Federal Territory alone, there were 15 locations,” he had said.

The signatures were later handed to Najib when the premier returned home from his overseas visit on July 22.

Kimma has also unfurled a banner containing the signatures of “1.2 million Malaysians” at the airport to show their support for Najib.