Ambiga: It took guts for Muhyiddin to admit systemic problems

Former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan lauded suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin's courage in acknowledging the system that he was a part of is plagued with problems.

This was after Muhyiddin today said the removal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak alone is not enough and institutional reforms are needed, including curbs to the premier's powers.

"I welcome Muhyiddin's statement that what is needed to fix our beloved nation is systemic change.

"As someone who was part of that system, it took guts to identify the real problem plaguing the country.

"This is what responsible leaders do," she told Malaysiakini.

Ambiga, who is also National Human Rights Society (Hakam) chairperson, expressed optimism that some in Umno are now beginning to see same problems raised by civil society.

"We are now on the same page that we should treat the cause and not just the symptoms of the problem.

"Now I am sure change is possible. All it takes is a few good men and women to do the right thing," she said.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli today also expressed similar sentiment after initially expressing reservation about working with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is on the same team as Muhyiddin.

Rafizi had raised concern that the Umno dissenters were only out to oust Najib as prime minister but had no interest in institutional reforms.

However, Muhyiddin (photo) today made specific reference to this need, and pledging to stand with the rakyat to stand up against "tyranny".

He warned that Najib was consolidating his power and Malaysians are witnessing the creation of a new dictator.

Rafizi today said he welcomed Muhyiddin into the Reformasi movement which first came about after the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim as deputy prime minister in 1998.

Najib has been plagued by controversy after it was discovered that RM42 million from state-owned SRC International and RM2.6 billion from an offshore account went into his personal bank accounts.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had cleared Najib of wrongdoing but the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is appealing the decision not to prosecute.

Meanwhile, PAS' Salor state assemblyperson Husam Musa also praised Muhyiddin's lengthy statement today which, among others, touched on reforms.

"I hope Muhyiddin will stand with the rakyat's movement to press forward for change," he said. -Mkini