Death of democracy if Najib remains in power, says Rafizi

© TMI PKR secretary-general Rafizi RamliKeeping Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in power longer will eventually result in the death of democracy in Malaysia, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said today.

Speaking at a forum ahead of the Bersih 4 rally at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) tonight, Rafizi said that Najib has made too many enemies, even from within his own party.

As such, he said, it was important to pile on the pressure to remove him "at his weakest point".

"Najib can only push forward because if he pushes backwards his only destination is Sg Buloh (prison)," Rafizi said today.

He also drew comparison between Najib and former Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled by martial law for nine years in the Philippines.

"It's same as Ferdinand Marcos, when he remained in power, he eventually ruled by martial law. If you allow him to stay there in power, it will the death of democracy as we know it.”

Najib has been widely criticised over allegations in The Wall Street Journal that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) was deposited into his personal bank accounts and controversies surrounding debt-ridden state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Recent events such as the removal Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from the Cabinet and termination of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s services also raised eyebrows.

"We have to stop him now at his weakest point because what he is doing now is that he trying to stem his critics within Umno itself," he said.

"But if we allow him to come out of Umno as a stronger prime minister, he will come after us one by one.”

Rafizi said Malaysia was now at the same juncture that Marcos found himself in before declaring martial law.