Umno members may be biggest group on March 27: Zaid

Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim said that there might be a significant number of Umno members who will show up for the Save Malaysia gathering organised by him this Sunday.

"Who knows, the biggest group coming on Sunday might be Umno members. Many Umno members have asked to come. I have given as many (invitations) as the hall permits," Zaid told Malaysiakini today.

Among the prominent Umno leaders who will be making an appearance at the gathering in Shah Alam Convention Centre are suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and ousted Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

When asked if any other prominent Umno members would be attending, Zaid said that they only want the “prominent but brave”.

"You don't expect cabinet members to show up," he joked.

The invitation-only gathering will start at 1pm as it is Easter Day, he explained, and is expected to end around 6pm, after which there will be a press conference with all 19 of the speakers.

Among the speakers expected are former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin, Mukhriz, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, former MIC secretary-general S Murugesan, former Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

He also said that though he initially only invited 1,000 people, he now estimates around 1,500 will show up on Sunday.

"We will fully fill up the hall," he said.

Many groups have also expressed interest in starting similar programmes, he said, adding that he encourages as many of them to do so, such as having drives to gather signatures for the Citizens' Declaration initiative launched and led by Mahathir earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Zaid revealed that the 'Save Malaysia' donation efforts had garnered about RM24,000 as of yesterday.

"But it's okay, we'll top up if we don't have enough," he said.

Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had warned that action will be taken against any Umno Youth members found to attend the gathering against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Our members, they are not free to do what they want.

"Any Umno Youth members who aligned themselves with the Citizens' Declaration movement will face disciplinary action," Khairy had said. -Mkini