PKR: Dr M should be tried for abusing powers

PKR said former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stand on human rights was no surprise as he was responsible for “undermining most of the rakyat's basic rights” during his “harsh and intolerant” two decade rule.

“In fact, Mahathir should be put on trial for abusing state powers and undermining independent institutions such as the police, judiciary, civil service and election commission.

“His acts when in power were criminal in nature, and caused far-reaching damage to our institutions and structures of governance. History will judge Mahathir harshly,” said PKR vice president N Surendran (left).

In a statement today, he blamed the former long-serving premier for rendering key constitutional rights “ineffective and meaningless” that has perpetuated till the present PM Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.

The prime minister of 22 years yesterday supported calls to curb the “human rights wave” saying that Malaysia should not “follow the West” in terms of protecting human rights.

He added that the opposition was using human rights issues for their political gain.

Umno ‘stole rakyat’s rights’

Surendran slammed the statement asking how a demand for basic human rights be termed excessive.

“The objective of the long struggle for human rights by the political opposition and activists is to return to the rakyat the fundamental rights once given to them in the federal constitution.

“How can it be 'excessive' to demand freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association or freedom from arbitrary detention?”

He said these were merely the basic freedoms “stolen’ from the rakyat under the rule of Umno’s leaders such as Mahathir (above) and his predecessors and successors.

These, he said, were far from “excessive” as Dr M had painted, but rather fundamental rights “essential to preserve our dignity as human beings, and to enable us to question and keep the government in check”.

“It is increasingly clear that PM Najib and Umno are fighting a proxy war against the rakyat's struggle for human rights using irresponsible and intolerant organisations and individuals like Perkasa and Dr Mahathir.

“This kind of transparent stratagem fools no one,” said Surendran.