Removing Najib paves way for reforms, court trial, says Muhyiddin

Pressing for Datuk Seri Najib Razak resignation's as prime minister will not topple Barisan Nasional, says former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. In a Facebook posting today, he said Najib's resignation as prime minister would allow legal action to be taken and the court to judge him fairly. "Following that, total institutional reforms must be done to create a clean, transparent and trustworthy government," said the Umno veteran, who was sacked as deputy prime minister last July for his criticism of Najib over his handling of financial scandals that affected the administration. Muhyiddin, who was also suspended as Umno deputy president said those who said Najib could only be removed through an election had gotten it wrong. "Here is their biggest mistake. If a majority of the people reject Najib's leadership, then it would be appropriate for Najib to step down. "He should not wait for an election. If the people reject him in an election, it means they totally reject BN. That will cause BN to fall in the election," he said. Putrajaya had defended Najib against the calls for his resignation, saying that the only way to change a prime minister was through an election. Muhyiddin's replacement, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also said such calls would threaten both the prime minister and BN. Zahid warned all BN parties to be cautious, after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led Umno stalwarts, opposition politicians and civil society leaders in the signing of the Citizens' Declaration that called for Najib's resignation. Muhyiddin also said pressuring a prime minister to quit before an election was nothing new. He said it had happened during the time of previous prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who resigned and made way for Najib. The BN governments then were not affected when the prime minister was changed, he said. "The difference (now) is the reason behind the calls to replace the prime minister. Then, it was for political reasons, and not because of financial scandals that have raised questions about morality and integrity like what we are facing now with Najib's leadership. "It is no longer an issue with the Umno leadership, but a national issue. That is why leaders from various political backgrounds have agreed to set aside their differences and unite to save the nation." Muhyiddin, who was among the signatories of the Citizens' Declaration, also said detractors were using all kinds of "strange excuses" to demonise the declaration spearheaded by Dr Mahathir. "Some say this declaration is undemocratic. I want to tell them that in a democratic country, the people's right to speak is provided in the Constitution. That includes voicing their view on the government and the country's leadership. "Asking a prime minister to resign because of his involvement in financial scandals is also part of the people's rights in a democratic nation." – March 8, 2016.]]>