Najib’s Cabinet reshuffle only compounding crisis, says Ambiga

Hakam president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan says today's Cabinet reshuffle is proof that one man can have too much power and can change things to affect any investigation to his alleged wrongdoings. – The Malaysian Insider pic, July 28, 2015.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to reshuffle his Cabinet has only made Malaysia's current political crisis worse, National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.

"What happened today breaches every rule that forms the core principles of a democracy," Ambiga said of the Cabinet reshuffle announced today, which saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being sacked as deputy prime minister and replaced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"This is only compounding the crisis, not solving it," she said, adding that Najib now had "so much power" in his hands.

Najib also appointed seven new ministers and nine new deputy ministers.

This is the second reshuffle he had done since the 13th general election in May 2013, and comes at a time when he is facing allegations of transferring state funds into his personal accounts. His brainchild, state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), is also being probed for alleged financial improprieties.

Ambiga said Najib did not heed calls for him to take a leave of absence while investigations are ongoing, and instead proceeded with a Cabinet reshuffle today, as well as the replacement of the Attorney-General, had proven why calls for him to go on leave were appropriate.

"What happened today is proof that when a man has so much power, while being investigated at the same time, he can move things around and we can't do anything about it.

"This is just about looking after his own interests," she said during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).

Ambiga along with several other NGOs today unveiled an "action plan" to save the country from the current crisis by proposing that a "national government" be formed beyond party lines while asking Najib to take a leave of absence.

And she warned that if a proper solution is not found in the near future to deal with the situation, the people would have no choice but to take to the streets to voice their displeasure.

"Now is the time to find a solution, now is the time to speak up," she stressed.

- TMI