Focus on other reform aims, not just Najib ouster, Azmin tells Mukhriz

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said other resolutions calling for reforms in the Citizens' Declaration against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must not be forgotten. The other resolutions were why some opposition politicians put their names on the declaration which was spearheaded by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Azmin said. "We want total reformation in the country's system of governance. This has always been the view of the opposition coalition. "This is not (just) about pressuring Najib to resign. Because of him, all institutions in the country have been damaged and need to be reformed. "If the call is only for Najib to resign, we (the opposition) would not have been there in the first place," said Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president. He was responding to a statement by former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir that the declaration was only aimed at removing Najib from office and not to bring down the Barisan Nasional government. Mukhriz also said the aim was to "replace Najib with another prime minister from the ruling coalition". Azmin said the massive reforms in the government and its agencies were badly needed. "Our aim from the very beginning is clear: there must be a reformation. This includes the resignation of Najib. "Our reform agenda includes granting freedom to the press, restoring confidence in government institutions, and one of the issues discussed in the declaration is the removal of those who acted 'in concert' with Najib throughout this ordeal. "Do not misinterpret the declaration. Stick to what has been written," he said to reporters after a key handover ceremony in Petaling Jaya Selatan. Asked about the next course of action, Azmin said they would have roadshows and programmes to extend the message to the public. "We will need to go to the ground and explain to the rakyat because we need them to make this declaration successful. This will be a continuous effort." The Citizens' Declaration and its signing by political foes and civil society leaders has stirred debate because of Dr Mahathir's involvement as he is still regarded as being responsible for the erosion of the nation's institutions during his 22-year tenure. The bulk of the declaration focused on Najib's alleged wrongdoings involving his brainchild, state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd, and mentioned institutional reforms in the context of "restoring the integrity of institutions that have been undermined, such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara and the Public Accounts Committee". Among the more than 50 signatories were former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Mukhriz, Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah and former president of the Malaysian Bar Datuk S. Ambiga. – March 6, 2016.]]>