Muhyiddin: I know they are worried about Citizens’ Declaration

Suspended Umno No 2 regrets asking Abdullah to step down, leading to Najib becoming PM

SHAH ALAM: Government leaders are afraid of the Save Malaysia movement and the Citizens’ Declaration, although describing it as merely a gimmick, said former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He urged the public to take courage and voice their support for the declaration that Najib Razak must resign as prime minister.

“I salute (former premier) Tun Mahathir (Mohamad) and the others for signing this (declaration). Those on the other side (government) said this is merely a gimmick and does not represent the public’s voice.

“But I know deep down in their hearts, they are restless and worried because they know each day, more people are signing this declaration,” he said at the People’s Congress attended by more than a thousand people here today.

The Citizens’ Declaration was signed on March 4 by opposition and civil society leaders including Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

Muhyiddin also expressed regret for his role in asking Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as prime minister in 2008 which led to Najib taking over.

He said he had asked Abdullah to step down because the Barisan Nasional had grown weaker under Abdullah. But he did not realise that the situation would worsen under Najib.

“I regretted it. At that time everything seemed wonderful,” said Muhyiddin who was recently suspended as Umno deputy president, six months after being dropped from the Cabinet.

He said he was proud to be seated next to Lim Kit Siang although they had been political enemies.

“This is a historic moment. I never imagined I would be sitting next to Lim Kit Siang. Maybe it is because now Malaysia has achieved a kind of political maturity. We are no longer tied to a narrow ideology. We realise that Malaysia is in a serious situation and we have to stand united in order to save our nation,” he added.