PUTRA (2023–present) Alliance Party (1964–1974) Barisan Nasional (1974–2016) Pakatan Harapan (2017–2020) Gerakan Tanah Air (2022–2023)
[1][2][3] Coming amidst the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, the declaration also saw Malaysia's two biggest political arch-rivals, Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad, work together for people's rights.
[4][5] Besides demanding that Najib be removed from his position, the declaration signed by, among others, former Premier Mahathir and 57 other signatories also touched on freedom of speech and a free media.
We - the undersigned citizens of Malaysia append below our concern over the deteriorating political, economic and social situation in the country.
We wish to draw the attention of the people of Malaysia to the damage done to the country under the Premiership of Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak.
1MDB invested or lent a total of US$1.83 billion to Petrosaudi International (PSI) Limited between 2009 and 2011 under the pretext of bogus projects or non-existent assets.
Of this sum, a total of US$1.45 billion was directly and indirectly siphoned off to Good Star Limited and other companies controlled by Low Taek Jho.
To hide the missing funds, 1MDB "disposed" its investments and loans to PSI for US$2.318 billion, claiming to have made a profit of US$488 million.
This is a lie because the parent of Aabar, International Petroleum Investment Corporation (IPIC) did not mention receipt of any such payments in its audited accounts published on the London Stock Exchange.
1MDB also took another loan of US$975 million from a Deutsche Bank-led consortium in September 2014, for the very same purpose of compensating Aabar for the terminated options.
The Wall Street Journal has exposed the fact that these money have been paid to a different British Virgin Islands entity with a similar name, "Aabar Investment PJS Limited", whose beneficial owner is completely unrelated to IPIC.
The simple scam has fooled even the 1MDB auditors, Deloitte Malaysia into believing that the payments were indeed received by IPIC's Aabar.
Initially, the Prime Minister told Parliament that the sum was held in cash in BSI Bank, Singapore.
A former UMNO vice-head of the Batu Kawan Division made a police report on the loss of large sums of money by 1MDB.
Instead he was interrogated by police, detained and charged under anti-terrorist law (SOSMA) for sabotage of the Malaysian economy.
He claimed that it was a gift from an Arab; then that it was a donation to help him win the 13th general election in Malaysia; then that it was given because of his dedication to the fight against Islamic terrorists.
The Public Accounts Committee was basically paralysed by Najib removing its chairman and members to prevent its investigation of the 1MDB.
Shortly thereafter the new Attorney General dismissed a recommendation by Bank Negara for action to be taken, claiming that nothing in the report showed Najib had done any wrong.
The new Attorney General has without valid explanations, dismissed the recommendations of the two institutions that possess the powers and expertise in their areas.
The sacked Deputy Prime Minister later revealed that the former Attorney General had shown him proof of Najib's wrongdoings relating to the scandals.
At the same time, various foreign Government agencies, namely from Switzerland, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Britain have initiated investigations on the 1MDB.
The Attorney General even threatens to amend the law to provide for jail for life with 10 strokes of the rotan against anyone "leaking" Government papers.
Despite protests by the people Najib joined the US sponsored Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) which erodes our freedom to make policies and laws suitable for our country.
On the other hand, where errors are made in applying these laws by Government officers, or where there is a blatant abuse of power, the people are unable to hold them accountable.
For all these reasons, we, the undersigned citizens of Malaysia agree and support: a) The removal of Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak as the Prime Minister of Malaysia through non-violent and legally permissible means; b) The removal of all those who have acted in concert with him; c) A repeal of all the recent laws and agreements that violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and undermine policy choices and d) A restoration of the integrity of the institutions that have been undermined, such as the police, the MACC, Bank Negara and the PAC.
We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation, creed or parties, young and old to join us in saving Malaysia from the Government headed by Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak, to pave the way for much needed democratic and institutional reforms, and to restore the important principle of the separation of powers among the executive, legislature and judiciary which will ensure the independence, credibility, professionalism and integrity of our national institutions.