Shahbudin: Critics going off tangent on Citizens’ Declaration

The critics warn that the Prime Minister can only be replaced through the General Election and the laws on which the democratic system were based.

KUALA LUMPUR: The critics, noted a political analyst in his latest blog posting, appear to be oblivious to the fact that the Citizens’ Declaration did stress that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s expulsion would be through peaceful means and in accordance with the law. “This affects not only Najib but all those in cahoots with him.”

“The total reformation process will come in after the General Election. However, the thinking among the critics was that Najib will be expelled tomorrow.”

If Najib withdraws before that, agreed Shahbudin Husin the analyst, it would be a bonus. “The Citizens’ Declaration was a movement of the masses to save the nation.”

Clearly, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno leaders and spokespersons for Putrajaya were going off at a tangent on the Citizens’ Declaration, said Shahbudin. “They reminded former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that the Prime Minister could only be replaced through the General Election and the laws on which the democratic system were based.”

Mahathir, 90, towards the end of his life, clearly intends — notwithstanding all the condemnations and humiliations especially in the wake of the Citizens’ Declaration– to help save the nation for the longhaul, said the analyst. “Again, this was not just about driving Najib out of Putrajaya.”

Interestingly, recalled Shahbudin, when Mahathir announced on February 29 that he was quitting Umno, “many sycophants” and Najib retorted that it would not have any impact on the party. “However, even Mahathir’s first move through the Citizens’ Declaration, has already got all his critics worried and riled up.”

Umno members were no longer Mahathir’s main focus, but the people and the nation, he added. “There should not be any doubts on Mahathir’s commitment for the nation. The people have in the past appreciated his contributions to the nation.”

Shahbudin reiterated the four key points in the declaration, read out by Mahathir, the expulsion of Najib from Putrajaya through peaceful channels in accordance with the law; and the expulsion of all those in “cahoots” with Najib on covering up wrongdoing. “Another key point was the repeal of all laws in violation of human rights and the Federal Constitution.”

One final point, he pointed out, was the integrity of the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bank Negara and the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).