Nothing wrong with urging PM's resignation, Ku Li told

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is wrong to state that the Citizens' Declaration, which urges Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s removal, is unconstitutional or contemplates unconstitutional action, according to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

"Nothing could be further from the truth as it (the declaration) is in fact seeking a return to the fundamental principles of the Merdeka Constitution 1957 and Malaysia Constitution 1963 on democracy, rule of law, fundamental liberties and doctrine of separation of powers," he said.

Lim also argued that there is nothing wrong, unconstitutional or undemocratic in urging the resignation of the prime minister of the day.

"If the urging for the resignation of the executive head from the country's citizenry is loud, clear and imperative, the democratic will and wishes of the people must prevail through the constitutional processes available - whether through voluntary resignation or a vote of no confidence in the highest legislature in the land," he pointed out.

Secondly, Lim said the 42 signatories are committed to peaceful, non-violent, democratic and constitutional processes and abjure any resort to any violent, undemocratic or unconstitutional means to achieve the demands.

He said this is contained in Paragraph 36 of the declaration, which states:

a) The removal of Najib as prime minister of Malaysia through non-violent and legally permissible means.

b) The removal of all those who have acted in concert with him.

c) A repeal of all recent laws and agreements that violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the federal constitution and undermine policy choices.

d) A restoration of the integrity of the institutions that have been undermined, such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara and the Public Accounts Committee.

Lim also cited Paragraph 37 of the document which underscores the declaration's aim to return to the fundamental principles of the Merdeka Constitution 1957 and Malaysia Constitution 1963.

The paragraph reads, "We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation, creed or parties, young and old 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."

The opposition leader also noted that Paragraph 37 is a summation of the speeches which Tengku Razaleigh, who is fondly known as Ku Li, himself had made down the decades in his political career. -Mkini