On the eve of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's meeting with United States President Donald Trump, Pakatan Harapan has revealed its demands for next month's anti-kleptocracy rally.
Among them is for Najib, his stepson Riza Aziz and businessman Jho Low to be charged over the 1MDB scandal.
In a joint media statement, Harapan claimed that the demands resulted from the meetings its leaders held with the people nationwide.
The other demands are: a clean government, candidates free of corruption as well as to confiscate ill-gotten wealth and to use the money to build schools and hospitals.
The coalition claimed that the RM19.3 billion related to the 1MDB scandal could have financed several beneficial programmes.
“If there was no 1MDB scandal, the government could have used the money to build 100 new hospitals, especially in the rural areas; 460,000 low-cost houses; a total of 166,000 single mothers could have received RM1,500 in aid for seven years; each of the 112,500 Felda settlers can be given a bonus of RM172,000; and scholarships for poor students can be revived,” it said.
Harapan also accused Najib of wanting to use the Washington meeting to repair his image.
“Tomorrow, Najib will meet with Trump in the White House. This can be said to be the most important meeting for the prime minister ahead of the general election.
“Najib has lobbied to meet the US president to cleanse his severely tainted image as a result of the allegations by the US Department of Justice (in its 1MDB-related suits).
“All government-controlled newspapers and television stations will feature Najib shaking hands with the US president. Najib is hoping to 'white wash' his image and convince the people that he is not involved in the 1MDB scandal.
“This is Najib's plan to dupe the people,” says the statement signed by Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, PKR lawmaker Johari Abdul, DAP lawmaker Tony Pua and others.
Harapan claimed it was ironical that the Najib administration, which often played up nationalist and anti-foreign powers sentiments, was now depending on US and China to “rescue” the prime minister.
“However, the people will not be fooled. They know corruption will make the country poorer... The people must rise and demand their rights and money,” it said.
In view of this, Harapan urged Malaysians to participate in the Oct 14 rally dubbed “Love Malaysia, Eradicate Kleptocracy” at Padang Timor in Petaling Jaya.
Najib has denied abusing public funds for personal gain and has been cleared of any wrongdoing by attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali.
The prime minister has blamed the allegations on those conspiring to topple him from power. - Mkini
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