Dr M would be one despicable old man if...

Most of us would agree that Dr Mahathir Mohamad would be one despicable old man if he chose to ignore carrying out some serious institutional reforms after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been removed.

Whether inked or otherwise, the people’s aspirations are clearly spelt out - we want both institutional reforms, which has to first begin with the removal of a scandal-plagued prime minister.

If things remain status quo after Dr Mahathir has achieved his own objectives, the nonagenarian, who turns 91 this July, would probably go down in history as a sly fox who can never be trusted.

On both sides of the pendulum in the political divide, his reputation would be far worse than the nemesis that he tries to remove.

The Citizens’ Declaration - what it was not

Despite being given a chance to mend his mistakes, he would be perceived as someone who fails to live up to the expectations of the people who have given him the support, not as political parties, but as fellow citizens.

The signatories represented all ordinary citizens of this country who want to see both Najib removed and the country going through proper reforms to bring it to the next higher level. To most of us, the Citizens’ Declaration is seen as the epitome of the people’s sentiments in this country, nothing less, nothing more.

In fact, Dr Mahathir was a partyless man when he took on the role as the group’s spokesperson, not as its leader but as its voice.

Unlike a political pact, last week’s declaration was one representing the Malaysian citizens. In short, it represented more than 52 percent of the those who voted against Najib and the entire Barisan Nasional government.

It included a growing number of Umno rebels, who believe it is time for Najib to go. These so-called ‘rebels’ will hopefully have seen the scandals plaguing the present Umno president and want to see institutional reforms.

One of the first rules that need to be reformed is the idea that a sitting prime minister can hold the post of finance minister as well. At the same time, hereafter, Umno would have to look at its party constitution to remove certain clauses that protect the party president at the expense of its grassroots.

No one can deny that what Dr Mahathir achieved last week is simply historic. It clearly shows that the Malaysian society from all walks of life want Najib to be removed as prime minister as well as to implement institutional reforms.

Those who want him out far outnumber those who want him to remain as both Umno president and prime minister. Therefore, the civilian Dr Mahathir is spot on when he sought the “restoration of the integrity of the institutions that have been undermined, such as the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bank Negara and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).”

This is what resonates with all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation, creed or parties, young and old, who will want “to join us in saving Malaysia from the government headed by Najib, to pave the way for much-needed democratic and institutional reforms, and to restore the important principle of the separation of powers among the executive, legislature and judiciary which will ensure the independence, credibility, professionalism and integrity of our national institutions.”

Opportunity to turn over a new leaf

The former prime minister himself is largely known for dismantling and weakening the national institutions in the past, but Najib has made it become a worse mess today than what it was during Dr Mahathir’s reign.

Dr Mahathir may remain adamant that he is not to be blamed for the current stalemate, but the truth is that no major institutional change can be done overnight.

He would not have realised it until lately when he tried to remove his protégé and found that Najib was too well-protected by the fortress that Dr Mahathir had built for himself.

There is no point for Dr Mahathir to battle against public perception; all he needs to do now is to turn over a new leaf and leverage on the people and Umno grassroots’ sentiments now to remove Najib and introduce reforms for the better.

For example, since 1987, the office of the prime minister gradually became an impenetrable fortress. The post of both the president and the deputy president of Umno could not be easily challenged. Under the present party constitution, the party president can postpone the party elections for as long as he chooses.

Therefore, given the chance to at least make amends, I believe Dr Mahathir would at least live up to a good legacy. They say that when a man is approaching a century old, there is a chance that there will be change of heart. I, for one, would give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

After all, with Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali as one of the signatories, and serving as Dr Mahathir’s living conscience, it is unlikely that Dr Mahathir would renege on the urging for serious reforms. It is the question of to what extent that he, and his supporters, would agree to the reform of institutional reforms.

Apart from that, one has to look at Dr Mahathir as just another signatory. The Citizen’s Declaration should be taken at face value, in that it was signed on behalf of citizens, from all walks of life. Who wants Najib removed?

The opposition? Certainly, yes! The civil society? A resounding “Yes!” since the big turnout during Bersih 4 rally in August last year.

What about Umno members themselves? The answer is obvious, with Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah having resigned from Umno to join in the chorus.

Since Phlip Rodrigues has said this, “A popular uprising cannot be whipped up if the issues raised are too difficult for the common people to understand,” I shall add: “Perhaps, it is time for both Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah, Muhyiddin Yasin and Zaid Ibrahim to abandon their March 27 rally to join the April 1 Anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) rally proposed by Pakatan Harapan.”

But, would they or would they not? Let us hear them out.

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STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008. -Mkini