Lawyer Haris Ibrahim has resigned as president of Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM).
He cited the views expressed by MCLM chairman, Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK), in a mainstream media yesterday, as his main reason.
Haris said he was compelled to do so after reading Raja Petra comment’s on MCLM’s candidacy in the coming general elections and his view on ‘people’s revolution.’
“In the circumstances, I find it impossible to continue to serve MCLM as its president.
“I have communicated my decision to RPK through email, ” he said adding that he had been aware of the interview but was not privy to its content until he read the report.
Commenting on Raja Petra’s views published by NST, Haris said he was saddened specifically by ‘two parts’ of the interview.
“The two parts (of the interview) that have led me to the decision were that “MCLM had decided it would not field any candidates for the coming general election”.
“I can confirm now that no such decision has been made. (Infact) in December, 2010, in London, RPK announced the launch of MCLM’s Barisan Rakyat independent candidate initiative.
“In July, last year, MCLM announced the deployment of our first candidate, Dr Neduchelian, in the Kapar consitutuency,” Haris said in his People’s Parliament blog today.
‘No idle threat’
He also cited another reported comment by Raja Petra which he said ‘greatly undermined’ his efforts in the ‘Anything But Umno’ (ABU) initiative.
“RPK is reported to have said that “the Egypt-style people’s revolution was not an answer for Malaysia due to the delicate racial balance. They (Chinese voters) don’t want Tahrir Square type of change”
“These comments greatly undermine efforts I am making, albeit through MLCM, in the ABU initiative.
“It also saddens me that even as initiatives like SABM (Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia) and so many others continue daily to undo the ill-effects of Umno/BN’s 40 over years of race-based, divide-and-rule, my friend should continue to see us as Malays, Chinese, Indians, dll.
“I remain committed to all efforts to see this a nation of a single people, all equal. And I am fully committed to the cause of ABU, ” he said.
Last month, MCLM announced its alignment with the many NGOs and several political parties that had given life to the ABU initiative.
Also last month MCLM and several other groups warned Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that should he call for snap elections without first carrying through the electoral reforms as demanded by Bersih 2.0, he should brace himself for street rallies that could culminate in his government being toppled.
“I wish to reiterate here that this was no idle threat, ” said Haris.
No comments:
Post a Comment