Ambiga: We're prepared to face Citizens' Declaration backlash

Civil society leaders who signed the Citizens’ Declaration last Friday are prepared to face supporters who have questioned their endorsement of a movement to replace Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with another Umno premier, rather than keep up the fight for institutional reforms.

National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Ambiga Sreenevasan - who was among the 58 signatories - told Malaysiakini: “Of course, we were prepared for the backlash. People are entitled to question this move and we must answer them.”

“What matters is that we gave it serious thought and consulted with others before deciding to sign. It’s crystal clear in my mind that it is critical for us to put aside our differences for the nation and try to do something,” she added.

“We have to appeal to a wide spectrum of people and they must know that it is okay to have differences, but still have the same goal of saving the nation,” said Ambiga, who stressed that inaction is no longer an option for those who seek to push for change in Malaysia.

Ambiga also noted that she would not hesitate to sign the 37-paragraph declaration even if she had known of the backlash that it could trigger.

Meanwhile in a Facebook posting, ex-Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Seapa) executive director V Gayathry had raised questions over the process which led to their support of what was criticised as a “hypocritical” gathering of former sworn enemies turned allies.

‘Umno the main beneficiary’

“Did the wider community of NGOs discuss the declaration and the strategies post-declaration? I think the answer is no, but I’m happy to hear otherwise,” she said in dismissing arguments that removing Najib is currently the only option available for change.

Gayathry also stressed that she would not be supporting the declaration since Umno would remain as its main beneficiary.

“For that (removing Najib), they could have organised a petition among the Mahathir-loyal diehards in Umno and do what they want.

“What does the BN cohort bring to the table that has tilted the power equation for the civil society?” she queried, in reference to Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin and other signatories from Umno.

Malaysiakini had reported yesterday that while the document was originally drafted by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - with emphasis on issues surrounding Najib and the debt-ridden 1MDB - the final declaration had been amended to incorporate concerns from various interest groups.

Mahathir’s son and former Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir had also said earlier that it does not make sense to claim the declaration will benefit the opposition, as another Umno MP would be appointed to replace Najib if the latter is removed.

Asked for her response to Mukhriz’s comments on a new Umno prime minister, Ambiga said her main stipulation is only that the person is committed to the “reform agenda” with focus on free and fair elections.

“Then the people can decide (during an election).

“There are other options too to hold the fort until the next general election to allow for the electoral process to be cleaned up, but I would leave that for now,” she said, in insisting that the first step would be to remove Najib through legal means.

Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, however, has refused further comments on the matter.

“Let us sort it out. My lips are sealed. No comments for now,” she said when contacted.

The key paragraphs contributed by civil society groups outlined that Malaysia was now regarded as “undemocratic” amid denials of freedom of speech and the press, while people are living in fear of arrest and detentions. -Mkini