Malaysian Citizens' Declaration


The Citizens' Declaration was a declaration issued by an array of Malaysian political leaders on 4 March 2016 to demand Prime Minister Najib Razak's resignation from office. It was launched at a press conference chaired by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
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. 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.

Content

The main points of the declaration were:
The declaration included several key reasons for the demands:
  • Concern over the deteriorating political, economic and social situation in the country;
  • Damage done to the country under the premiership of Najib Razak;
  • Malaysia becoming one of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world, according to Ernst and Young in their Asia Pacific Fraud Survey Report Series 2013. The 2015 Corruption Perception Index showed Malaysia had dropped four places from 50 to 54; and,
  • Allocations to all ministries and public institutions, including universities, have been reduced because of a shortage of funds. Even when allocations are budgeted for, no money is available.

Signatories

Observers

  • Datuk Mustafa Ali – PAS Election Director
  • Khairuddin Razali – PAS Ulama Council Information Chief