Anticipation is high for the People's Congress 2016 tomorrow, which will push for an independent investigation into 1MDB and for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The gathering, to kick off in the afternoon at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, was first mooted by former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim a month ago, who had urged the people to rally behind former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his campaign to oust Najib.
Though it was initially described as a “rally”, Zaid later clarified it was an “invite-only gathering” for leaders from across the political divide, student leaders, and civil society members.
"Only those who have the courage to speak up against what is happening in the country will be invited, including dissident Umno branch leaders," he had said.
The event will be the biggest gathering of high-profile leaders of anti-Najib forces – both from the ruling coalition and the opposition, as well as civil society activists - since the signing of the Citizens’ Declaration on March 4.
As of now, Zaid said the roster of speakers include Mahathir, suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, ousted Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, among many others.
There will be 19 speakers altogether tomorrow, Zaid noted, with the registration of the delegates beginning at 12.30pm and the opening remarks at 1.50pm.
He expects the speeches to end around 6pm, after which there will be a press conference by the speakers.
Dr M last speaker
"Muhyiddin and Mahathir will be the last two to speak. (They're the) climax, sort of," he told Malaysiakini.
Previously, he had also told Malaysiakini there might be a significant number of Umno members attending the gathering as many of them had asked for invites.
"I have given as many (invitations) as the hall permits," he had said.
However, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had warned that disciplinary action will be taken against any Umno Youth member found at the gathering.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) had also advised its members to stay away “and not to be influenced by sentiments like toppling the government”.
The following is the full list of speakers for the gathering, in the order they are speaking:
1. Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim
2. Student leader Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
3. Former student leader Fahmi Zainol
4. PKR's Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani
5. DAP national vice-chairperson Teresa Kok
6. Former Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan
7. Former MIC secretary-general S Murugesan
8. PAS Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar
9. Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah
10. Former PAS vice-president Husam Musa
11. Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub
12. PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli
13. Former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir
14. Former Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Junid
15. Amanah president Mohamad Sabu
16. DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang
17. Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali
18. Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin
19. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Malaysiakini will be covering the event live tomorrow.
Najib had been embroiled in financial scandals involving 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion found deposited in his bank accounts.
The prime minister has consistently denied wrongdoing and claimed that the deposits were a political donation from the Middle East.
He also claimed he was unaware of the RM42 million found in his private bank account, which allegedly came from SRC International, a company owned by his Finance Ministry.
Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had earlier this year announced he would not pursue charges against Najib after receiving Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations papers, claiming that the RM2.6 billion was a donation from a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family. -Mkini
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