Mahathir said this at a forum on the Public Accounts Committee’s findings on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) last night, when answering a participant’s call for him to make Anwar’s release part of the movement’s mission.
“If we were to decide on Anwar and this or that, we will be split apart. No reforms or changes can take place while Najib (Razak) is the prime minister, so our stand is that Najib must be removed first and everything else can follow later.
“We must, for now, unite for only one goal as in any battle, the best strategy is to increase your friends and reduce your enemies,” said Mahathir to over 1,000 people present at the forum held in IDCC here.
“We must have rational thinking that is based on careful consideration. If we follow our desires, believe me, we will not succeed,” he continued.
Also present at the forum were Lim Kit Siang and Tony Pua of DAP; Rafizi Ramli of PKR; Cynthia Gabriel of anti-corruption watchdog C4; and Khalid Samad of Parti Amanah Negara.
Mahathir also pleaded with the public to be brave, to take a risk, and support the movement in its efforts to obtain one million signatures demanding Najib’s ousting.
“I’m sure if millions sign, the sultans will take the declaration seriously. We like peace, we don’t like jail, but if we’re scared, we’ll get nothing. No risk no gain. So take some risks. I myself have been called by the police several times. It’s okay.
“But I plead with all of you, sign the declaration. If we keep quiet, we will continue to be a victim of Najib’s oppression. We are asking for so little. I came tonight because I’m sure those who are present here are unhappy with what is happening.
“The cost of living is rising, subsidies are taken away from us. But the saddest part is seeing our prime minister going to see the Singapore prime minister to ask his permission for us to even build a bridge.
“Najib has pawned our sovereignty.”
The Citizens’ Declaration was signed March 4 by members of civil societies and politicians from both sides of the divide, including Mahathir.
The declaration is calling for the ouster of Najib, but also demanding that institutional reforms take place and laws that violate fundamental human rights, be repealed. However, the call to release Anwar, whom the Opposition claims to be a political prisoner, is not part of its demands.
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