Civil society groups condemns 'evil machinations of self serving politicians'

Civil society groups in Penang are up in arms over the possibility of a backdoor government in Putrajaya, as they strongly urge for fresh polls to resolve the current political impasse.

Former Penang City councillor Lim Mah Hui (photo) condemned the "evil machinations of the self-serving politicians" who use unscrupulous and unconscionable methods to cling to power.

"This attempted coup will rank as one of the greatest betrayals of the rakyat in Malaysian political history and must be roundly rejected by the rakyat," Lim told Malaysiakini.

"Any government formed through the back-door method does not enjoy legitimacy from the people," said the Penang Forum steering committee member.

Activist Stanley Sudhagaran said the attempt by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, the party's women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and rest of the coup camp to form a backdoor government is "disgusting and should be condemned in its hardest term".

He said the mandate to rule this country was given to the Pakatan Harapan government in the last general elections.

"Any attempt to join forces with the corrupted regime that we have fought hard to defeat in the last elections is totally unacceptable and should be fought hard," Stanley (below) told Malaysiakini.

"In any event of a breakup of Harapan, the mandate must be given back to the people to choose a new government," he added.

Stanley said the entire episode is meant to benefit certain people’s political ambitions and self-interest.

He added, Umno's Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Umno gang are rallying to join forces with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad due to their pending court cases, while Azmin and Zuraida are trying to save their cabinet post.

"In this entire debacle, the interest of the rakyat who voted them in is not at all in their consideration.

"The good governance agenda is not at all in their consideration.

"The fight against a kleptocratic regime is not at all in their consideration," Stanley (above) said.

Stanley said the inclusion of PAS into federal power will mark the death of the Malaysian spirit and rise of "extremism and intolerance" in this country.

He opined that this is set to affect every moderate Malaysian that believes in human rights, peace and respect towards all religion.

Mahathir had promised to hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim after Apec 2020 this November.

He had repeatedly affirmed this position in the past to Malaysians.

However, Anwar's supporters continue to push for Mahathir to fix a date to step down.

"To now turn away from that agreement and form a new pact with the very ones that we fought against and defeated is an outright betrayal and stab on the back of every Malaysian that voted for change in the last elections," Stanley said.

He called upon all NGO’s and various interest groups in the country to close ranks, reorganise and prepare for a major demonstration in this country and occupy Dataran Merdeka, to oppose the illegal forming of a backdoor government.

"It is time for us to get back on the streets and this time in full force," he said.

He also called upon the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to not accept the illegal forming of a new government, and instead push for parliament to be dissolved and elections to take place.

"The pillar of the royal institution is the only thing that will be able to stop this madness and protect democracy in this country now" he added.

Penang Forum's steering committee member Khoo Salma Nasution said previously the government was making very slow progress on institutional reform because of so much infighting.

She said political analyst Wong Chin Huat already predicted political implosion

"It happened sooner than we thought. I do not want to comment on the short term but on the longer term.

"Firstly, it is clear that we need political reforms on the electoral system - Proportional Representation will certainly suit Malaysia's population better than first past the post, and will provide the much needed stability," she told Malaysiakini.

"Secondly, we need a Political Financing Act that makes political financing more transparent otherwise the billionaires and big corporations will have the biggest say," she added.

"Money politics will make sure it is one ringgit one vote," she said.

Salma (above) said we need stronger government institutions and stronger civil society to support the rule of law and planning for the public interest.

"Otherwise all politicians who takes power will feel entitled to exploit weaknesses in the system, thinking "it's our turn to eat"," she said.

Meanwhile, social reform movement Aliran expressed disgust over the political chicanery of politicians, saying they have "clearly betrayed the people’s trust and put their lust for power over the country’s interests and future."

Aliran executive committee said this "pack of plotters" political manoeuvring and attempted coup" over the weekend does not augur well for the country.

"It is obviously an attempt to oust the duly elected Pakatan Harapan government and subsequently install a ‘back door government’," said Aliran.

"This dishonours the people’s mandate that was given to Harapan in the 2018 general election.

"We, the people, have a democratic right to choose the next government if the Harapan government should fall as a result of these political machinations," said the NGO.

"Politicians do not make the choice for us. We have the legitimate right to choose a government in a parliamentary democracy," it added.

"It is an insult to the intelligence of the rakyat when this cabal of plotters claim that what they are doing is to act as a “balancer for the sake of stability”, especially when many members of the group are not known for their democratic practices and reform agenda.

"It is even more worrying when a few of them are heavily tainted with corruption charges and allegations," Aliran said. - Mkini