Criticisms against Citizens' Declaration show uneasiness among UMNO leaders - Muhyiddin

Pagoh UMNO division chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described UMNO leaders who criticized his move of joining Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in signing the ‘Citizens’ Declaration’ as envious.

He said the criticisms indicate uneasiness among the UMNO leaders over the success of Dr Mahathir who brought together leaders from the Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan, PAS and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"They did not seem pleased with the success of Dr Mahathir who brought together leaders from BN, Pakatan Harapan, PAS and civil societies urging the Prime Minister to resign.

“Citizens’ Declaration is not the agenda of any political party. It comprises of individuals from various social and political backgrounds.

“The fact is that the Citizens’ Declaration is the people’s struggle that transcends political ideologies, race and religion in a bid to save Malaysia and reclaim the country’s dignity,” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday.

Muhyiddin also criticised those who deliberately fueled speculation over the presence of DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang as an agenda to destroy UMNO and labelling Dr Mahathir as a traitor.

The Citizens’s Declaration was signed on March 4.

According to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, it does not merely demand for the resignation of Najib but to oversee comprehensive reforms in the country’s constitution.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin dismissed allegations saying that the Prime Minister can not be removed except through elections.

"Here lies the great mistake. If most of the people reject his leadership, it is only appropriate for Najib to step down now.

"Do not wait until the elections. If people reject Najib in the elections then it means that they will reject BN in total. This will lead BN to lose the election," he said.

Commenting about his loyalty to UMNO, Muhyiddin said it was his duty to uphold truth for the sake of religion, race and country.

"During my 40 years in politics, never a moment that I had acted against my principles.

"I am confident that the people, especially the Malays, are wise enough to judge which one is right and which is wrong," he added.

The signing of the ‘Citizens’ Declaration’ was attended by over 58 leaders such as Tun Ling Liong Sik, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, Tan Sri Aziz Yassin, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, Datuk Husam Musa, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Datuk Mustafa Ali, Datuk Dr Khairuddin Al-Takiri, Datuk Kadir Jasin, Mohamad Sabu, Salahuddin Ayub and many others.