'What can Dr M contribute to anti-Najib bloc?'

Ever since former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad announced he would quit Umno and form a core group to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, he has been walking closer to the Opposition.

Given that they have a common nemesis in Najib, a number of civil society leaders are willing to accept the olive branch with him, provided he promises to push for holistic reforms.

These include parliament and anti-corruption reforms, abolishment of draconian laws, and free and fair elections.

Veteran activist Hishamuddin Rais, who was once jailed by Mahathir, called for all to "move on" and join hands with the country's longest-serving premier to fight Najib.

Back in the 70s, Hishamuddin, then a University of Malaya student leader, was wanted by the government and fled from Malaysia after leading a demonstration in solidarity with Baling peasants.

Najib's father Abdul Razak Hussein was then prime minister and the education minister was Mahathir.

After 20 years of exile, Hishamuddin (photo) returned to Malaysia in 1994, but was detained immediately by Mahathir government. Years later, he was jailed again under Internal Security Act for organising street demonstrations during Reformasi movement.

Nevertheless, Hishamuddin now urges people to distinguish between the "big enemy" and the "small enemy", and join forces in the face of their common enemy - Najib.

Despite being jailed several times, he doesn't even need an apology from Mahathir, he said.

"Mahathir is a retiree; he has no longer the power to oppress. I was detained by him when he was PM. I was detained for two years and two months under ISA; that is history.

"I cannot carry on this baggage, harping on the ISA because there are bigger problems like the criminality of Najib Razak. We have to move on, and create a new democratic Malaysia.

"For me, my detention is insignificant now. I don't need an apology from him. What we need now is to work together," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Grand coalition

On the day Mahathir announced he would quit Umno, he proposed the setting-up of a core group to coordinate the fight against Najib, while DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang similarly put forward a "grand coalition".

One of the conditions of the grand coalition is the release of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, which is also included in Pakatan Harapan's stand.

"We all must agree to a broad minimum joint programme," Hishamuddin stressed.

"It should be a process of democratisation. There should be free and fair elections; the abolishment of all draconian laws; the suspension of all cases under the Sedition Act," he said.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah concurred with Hishamuddin, pointing out that nothing would change if the "system" remained after Najib stepped down.

"If you want to change the leader, you also need to deal with what is wrong with the system. We have to get rid of repressive laws, bring back an independent judiciary. Once Najib resigns, we want a fresh election.

"These things have to happen. Otherwise what's the point of changing a leader?" she asked, adding that Bersih will discuss with its endorsing organisations before coming out with an official stand on working with Mahathir.

The recent mega rallies, especially Bersih 4, has shown that the civil society can mobilise hundred of thousands of people without the support of political parties and become a power that cannot be neglected.

Systemic reforms

Liau Kok Fah, chairperson of the civil rights committee of the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, also insisted that Mahathir had to agree to systemic reforms.

Otherwise, toppling Najib would just be just a personal feud between the former and current PM, he said.

"If he includes the reform agenda in his 'package' and we are satisfied with it, then collaboration is possible. Together we can push for Malaysia's democratisation.

"We do not want anyone to climb up or step down; democratisation is all we want," he said.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim has invited Mahathir to join the March 27 gathering. Even the Opposition has asked the people to give Mahathir a chance to "correct his mistakes" made during his 22 year tenure.

However, political analyst Lim Hong Siang reminded all they should not neglect a practical question: What can Mahathir contribute to a grand coalition?

Mahathir had turned to the opposition due to his failure in forcing Najib to step down in Umno, he pointed out.

Thus, he reminded that the opposition should establish how it intended to go against Najib before reaching a consensus with Mahathir.

"If there is a demonstration or rally, how can Mahathir be useful? In the case of the Bersih 4 rally, Mahathir couldn't even mobolise Umno members to boost the rally's momentum. He only added two people to the rally - he and his wife.

"If it's about toppling Najib through Parliament, how many MPs can Mahathir contribute? Pakatan Harapan has 73 MPs (including one PSM seat). You need at least 40 BN MPs to switch sides to pass a non-confidence vote against PM.

"But, during the Budget tabling last year, Mahathir showed he was unable to provide the BN MPs to reject Najib's budget," he said.

PAS' relationship with BN

On top of gerrymandering in the coming general election, another issue is PAS' relationship with BN, which is unclear at the moment.

“There is a possibility that the opposition will face multi-cornered fights and let BN win more seats with less votes,” Lim said.

"The opposition's dilemma is that if they cannot draw more support, including from within the establishment, they may not be able to have a change of government and implement systemic reforms.

"Whereas Mahathir's dilemma is that it is clear that he is not able to topple Najib within Umno. Thus, if both sides are to join hands, they will have shown all the cards up their sleeves.

"We have to ask: What can Mahathir contribute? If he cannot contribute to a rally or an assembly, why do we want him to lead the "anti-Najib" agenda?

"Apparently, he is riding the opposition for free in order to reach his destination – to topple Najib."

The opposition should demand that Mahathir admit Najib is the product of his 22 years in power, he suggested.

"Demanding an apology from Mahathir actually sets up a bar. If he admits his wrongs, his 'Mahathirism' can no longer be used to rule the country. He cannot single-handedly set the agenda, nor appoint any Umno leader at his will," he said.

Although Mahathir had announced he has quit Umno in protest against Najib, he has refused to admit or apologise for allegedly laying the foundation that allowed the current political crisis surrounding Najib to occur.

Mahathir has been criticised for allegedly undermining the judiciary system, keeping a tight grip on media, instigating a crackdown on dissidents and democracy, as well as opening the gate for corruption and cronyism. -Mkini