Mahathir is no reform icon, Ram Karpal agrees with Anwar

As PKR leaders appeared split over the letter from their de facto chief, a DAP lawmaker expressed agreement with Anwar Ibrahim’s views on the Citizens’ Declaration and Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Ram Karpal Singh said the letter was timely and it should be heeded by all parties

"I agree with Anwar. What he said in the letter is appropriate... Not only party (PKR) members (should take heed), but all must consider (the points raised)," he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby.

He agreed that Mahathir, in particular, has his own agenda that might not be in line with that of reform activists and the opposition.

"I think it is a stern reminder from Anwar that Mahathir has his own motives and it does not truly mirror the reformasi agenda," said the Bukit Gelugor MP.

Ram, who is the son of the late DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, said that in his opinion, Pakatan Harapan should be working towards ushering reform and renewal.

"Mahathir is no reform icon. What Anwar tried to do is to remind us that the main agenda is reform and unfortunately it has been left out of the Citizens' Declaration," he added.

DAP’s top leaders have remained silent on the letter, with secretary-general Lim Guan Eng describing it as a PKR internal matter.

His father, Lim Kit Siang, who was seated next to Mahathir during the launch of the Citizens’ Declaration two months ago, has kept his lips pursed.

On Monday, Anwar’s eight-page handwritten letter, addressed to PKR leaders, from prison was exposed to the media.

In the letter, he warned against the dangers of working with Mahathir, whose agenda is to retain the outdated system.

He also described the Citizens’ Declaration as a Mahathir document in principle, and expressed puzzlement as to how removing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would lead to reforms taking place. -Mkini