Two candidates identified by Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) for its independent candidate programme have pulled out over views the organisation’s chairperson Raja Petra Kamarudin aired in an interview over the weekend.
“It is with regret that I announce my disassociation from the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement,” Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said in a statement today.
“I have discussed the matter with Mr Sreekant Pillai who has asked me to state that he shares my views and is similarly dissociating,” he added.
“It is with regret that I announce my disassociation from the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement,” Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said in a statement today.
“I have discussed the matter with Mr Sreekant Pillai who has asked me to state that he shares my views and is similarly dissociating,” he added.
Malik (left) said he acknowledged that Raja Petra was airing his personal statement, but it was “regrettable” that this appeared to be made on behalf of MCLM.
“That is regrettable as it is an impression that has undermined the credibility of the MCLM and its efforts.
“It has also undermined the tremendous efforts of a number of highly committed and selfless individuals in their untiring efforts to develop various civil society initiatives under the banner of MCLM,” Malik said.
He added that Raja Petra “has seriously undermined the cause”.
Malik and Sreekant are the first two individuals the movement had announced as its ‘third force’ candidates.
Their decision follows that of former MCLM president Haris Ibrahim, who quit the movement yesterday over Raja Petra’s interview with the New Straits Times (NST).
“That is regrettable as it is an impression that has undermined the credibility of the MCLM and its efforts.
“It has also undermined the tremendous efforts of a number of highly committed and selfless individuals in their untiring efforts to develop various civil society initiatives under the banner of MCLM,” Malik said.
He added that Raja Petra “has seriously undermined the cause”.
Malik and Sreekant are the first two individuals the movement had announced as its ‘third force’ candidates.
Their decision follows that of former MCLM president Haris Ibrahim, who quit the movement yesterday over Raja Petra’s interview with the New Straits Times (NST).
Meanwhile a third candidate, Dr Nedunchelian Vengu,also took issue with Raja Petra's interview, but added that he intended to contest in Kapar regardless of what the MCLM chairperson had told NST.
No to three-cornered fight
Malik stressed that he has never been a member of MCLM but had worked with the group on its reform agenda.
“For the sake of clarity, I note here that at all times my agreement to stand as an independent candidate hinged on my being satisfied that there was cause for it,” the human rights lawyer added.
He acknowledged that Pakatan Rakyat was “pivotal in any campaign for reform”, although it was not “the only actor of relevance” in the cause.
“In that light, I had resolved to stand only where my doing so would not result in a three-cornered fight or where it was strictly necessary to do so,” Malik said.
He added that since the independent candidate intitiative was announced, Pakatan Rakyat has “appeared to commit to a sustained effort to identify and field quality candidates”.
Malik stressed that he has never been a member of MCLM but had worked with the group on its reform agenda.
“For the sake of clarity, I note here that at all times my agreement to stand as an independent candidate hinged on my being satisfied that there was cause for it,” the human rights lawyer added.
He acknowledged that Pakatan Rakyat was “pivotal in any campaign for reform”, although it was not “the only actor of relevance” in the cause.
“In that light, I had resolved to stand only where my doing so would not result in a three-cornered fight or where it was strictly necessary to do so,” Malik said.
He added that since the independent candidate intitiative was announced, Pakatan Rakyat has “appeared to commit to a sustained effort to identify and field quality candidates”.
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