YOURSAY | ‘In a democratic society, the end cannot justify the means.’

Scepticism over Mahathir's role in Citizens' Declaration

Proarte: I think Micawberism has taken hold of the opposition. They never seem to learn.

The unprincipled 'my enemy's enemy is my friend' approach which characterised Pakatan Rakyat's DAP, PAS and PKR coming together, ended up in tears with Pakatan Rakyat disintegrating because PAS wanted to introduce hudud in Malaysia.

Despite being unconstitutional and a clear contravention of DAP’s political philosophy, DAP and PAS managed to convince themselves to ‘agree to disagree’ on fundamental principles. Naturally this resulted in an unstable Pakatan coalition which self-destructed after so many wasted years.

Collaborating with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a man who was responsible in large part for the mess we are in, may be 'realpolitik' but it cannot be devoid of principle.

A new paradigm which is based on equality of each citizen and affirmative action based on need and not race must be agreed by Mahathir before any meaningful collaboration can take place. This has to be the opposition’s non-negotiable position.

Drngsc: In a democratic society, the end cannot justify the means. Both the ends and the means must be proper.

That old fox (Mahathir) is the cause of all our problems. He can talk a lot, but does he have the support (among Umno Malays)? He has made a lot of noise, but PM Najib Abdul Razak is still there.

Is the opposition working with him out of sheer desperation or with a definite plan? There has to be much soul-searching by everyone.

Abasir: One of the challenges facing the signatories to the declaration is the paralysing naivety of Malaysians in general who, by their comments, have demonstrated their ignorance of the notion of ‘realpolitik’ (from German: real - ‘realistic’, ‘practical’, or ‘actual’; and politik - ‘politics’), which Wikipedia says “is politics or diplomacy based primarily on considerations of given circumstances and factors, rather than explicit ideological notions or moral or ethical premises”.

Apa Nama: As long as Umno Baru rules and does not follow the federal constitution as well as misinterpret it to benefit one race, the country will go to the dogs.

Even though this declaration is a good start and one should put aside their doubt, mistrust, hate, etc (including me) but that old fellow (Mahathir) will not go beyond Umno Baru.

This person still wants BN to rule after removing Najib. As long as BN rules, the system will be the same. Those who signed this declaration (the 58 signatories) are being taken for a long ride.

Monty: Enough of the pessimism. Enough of Mahathir's past. Just reflect on the massive problem we have now with Najib and go with this 37-point declaration and pray that this initiative will rid the country of this menace we have in Putrajaya.

Other issues, and these are admittedly crucial, must be set aside for now. Time is not on our side.

Najib's Clowns: If leaders who were once political foes can set aside their personal grievances and displeasures with Mahathir for the sake of Malaysia's future, it simply meant they have put 'Save Malaysia' their top priority. That also meant, "Kick out the corrupted demon."

It’s no point at this juncture of time to grumble about secondary issues which are more a distraction, rather than strengthening the cause. Anwar Ibrahim, too, made a similar call for cooperation with Mahathir without reservations.

Sleepy: “But more important than all that is to move on; to move on into the future in order to save the future from becoming a window to our past,” said Lim Kit Siang.

That is what this agreement is all about.

Hopeful123: Knowing very well that the last elections were allegedly rigged when the 53 percent majority was unable to form the government against the 47 percent, how do you expect fair, clean and just elections in the future?

The plan to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers has also raised eyebrows.

Another two years is a very long time by which the country would have bled dry and the people's sufferings multiplied.

Despicable leaders have been removed without elections in the Philippines and Indonesia. It can be done in Malaysia also when we are left with no other choice. The only other decent way is for the prime minister to step down voluntarily. Can he do it?

Citizen No 26: The movement, that started on Friday with the Citizens' Declaration, is gaining momentum for truth, righteousness and systemic reforms.

Yesterday, former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Mat Zain Ibrahim came out with a good analysis on the allegations behind the RM2.6 billion cover-up and lodged a police report .

The momentum will soon increase tremendously when the truth eventually surfaces, both locally and internationally.

The scandals are too huge to hide and cover with lies, innuendos and suppression. Spread the truth to all Malaysian voters and maintain the momentum until the 14th general election (GE14).

Patriot1: If former political foes can sit together for a common cause - that is, to save our country - they should be at least be given the opportunity to try, rather than to look at everything cynically.

Dr M, for whatever wrong he has done, did bring our country from the backwaters of Asia to a modern one of fairly good reputation. Who else has the clout to move the masses?

If Anwar can forget about their ‘hatred’ for each other for the moment, why can't all of us look at the issue positively instead of looking at it as a doomed effort right from the start?

Saving a country is a serious matter. It requires serious people and not armchair theorists. Talk is cheap. Try walking the talk.

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