Perhaps give Dr M a chance to redeem himself

YOURSAY | ‘There is no better time to do our individual parts to effect change now.’

Working with Mahathir - the right thing to do?

Salt-n-light: Three observations for everyone to reflect on:

1) Lim Kit Siang and his son suffered so much during the time of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's reign. Yet, Kit Siang said "there’s nothing personal", and with humility and strength sat at the same table with Dr M in order to do the 'right thing' for your children and my children. A true Malaysian and a truly decent human being.

2) Dr M, despite all sorts of things said about him, is also human. It must pain him as he reflects - now and then - on all that he has done to Kit Siang/Guan Eng and others.

3) Like Kit Siang, many Malaysians must also sense in no small measure the humiliation and loss suffered by Anwar Ibrahim who is still in prison. His family, too. His best years are behind him - and, yet he could say what he said - that he supports Dr M's challenge against PM Najib Razak.

Fellow Malaysians, please pray our leaders - Dr M, Najib, Anwar, Kit Siang - will each, in their own way, do the decent thing, not just for themselves but for the sake of young Malaysians everywhere - Malay, Chinese or Indian, others.

Anonymous 2112022009694: Well said. This has nothing to do with Mahathir at this moment. Allah will settle score with him.

This is like Mahathir, being a neighbour, wants to help put out the fire in your wooden village house. Will you let him help? It’s your choice.

Quigonbond: I agree with activist Yu Ren Chung’s article. There is no better time to do our individual parts to effect change now that there is a united opposition against Najib.

If Malaysians across all divide fail to harness the power of disruptive technology to bring about a change of regime, we will be the laughing stock of the world because the world knows tyrannical governments will fall (and in the meantime, they can wait it out), but if the people come up short in terms of creativity and resolve, then the world will write off this entire nation.

Anonymous321: Can anyone else offer another solution? Is there another choice, other than to wait for the 14th general election (GE14)? And does anyone feel that the GE is going to be fair, and that there is a possibility that you can win?

So let us get real, Mahathir is one of the few possible solutions that we have left. At the age of 90, give him this one chance to redeem himself.

Ksn: I disagree. Working with this man will end up in disaster. He is not trustworthy, not at all. The opposition made a big mistake on this matter because while the cause was good, he was the wrong man to be in the team.

He simply does not have the credentials for it as his record of 22 years proves, he has destroyed the country with all sorts of abuses, you name it. He should be rejected.

He tried his best to get rid of Najib from within. Yes, Najib has to go, but now he teams up with the opposition to achieve his end. Without doubt, he is selfish, utterly selfish.

Existential Turd: I am sceptical of the sincerity and motive of some of the originators (especially of Dr M) of this declaration and dubious of its effectiveness in affecting change.

First of all, how different is this declaration from all the countless declarations, plea and demands that came before? What substantial change have they accomplished? How is this time different? Simply because Dr M is backing it?

So what message does that send? That personality matters and message is secondary? Isn't that what we are fighting against? This is an exercise in futility. It gives you a momentary high like addictive drugs, but it achieves nothing.

Secondly, this declaration makes removing Najib as its main objective, reform seems to be an afterthought, just to get gullible supporters (dare I say, cannon fodder?) on board. Dr M says reform will come after Najib is removed, but is short on the details.

Like when? How? Who is going to replace Najib? His son? Removing Najib is just a fish bait. Finally, to save Malaysia, we need to remove the entire Umno, not just the tip of a toe.

Dahjadi Bubur: This failed state needs a change of leaders and reforms to reverse the institutional damages done by this 90-year-old man.

With him 'leading' this group, a change of leadership may occur but reverse institutional reforms may be scuttled along the way as this will take a longer time.

I totally disagree with the assumption - "Mahathir-the-prime-minister had an incentive to consolidate power around his office, while Mahathir-the-retired-politician does not."

Even though retired he still has his personal agenda which I think is not in line with the interest of the nation as a whole.

Anwar has the right mindset though. And that's why his release is not conditional in the declaration. If this is truly a Citizen’s Declaration, then Anwar's release should be in it.

Anonymous 1393321456110191: If you don't work with him for whatever reasons, who is daring enough to take the lead? You?

We have a common problem, he is the best person to lead this movement.

Sakit Hati Ku: Let us judge not and we shall not be judged. Let the bloke who has not sinned cast the first stone.

Malaysians are fully aware Mahathir is not an angel but, if a man shows signs of change for the better, should we not give him the chance to prove himself? Remember, to err is human.

Malaysians should be thankful grand old man Mahathir is still able and willing to carry the flag on behalf of Malaysians to finish off the demon. Love him or loath him, he is still the one. -Mkini