'Ousting Najib Without Reforms Meaningless': Anwar Speaks From Behind The Prison Walls
The jailed former Malaysian opposition leader says there needs to be "comprehensive change" in the governance of the country and that removing Najib is not enough.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Jul 2015, 04:44 PM
In the wake of corruption allegations against PM Najib's involvement in the 1MDB controversy, Anwar, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy, has released a statement from the Sungai Buloh prison today, 14 July
In the statement, Anwar has said that removing Najib is not enough to bring change to Malaysia. He added that true reform was still needed in the country's government and institutions.
“A Mahathir-led removal of Najib, without real reform, will only satisfy some cronies; it will do nothing to bring about real change for the people.”
This is amid demands by Mahathir for Najib to step down as PM. Anwar said based on past experience, removing Najib alone was "not enough".
"We have gone through the futile process of changing leaders, but leaving the corrupt and obsolete system intact. We do not want piecemeal solutions but a serious commitment to reform and the end of corruption," he said.
malaysiakini.com
Ultimately, Anwar said there must be comprehensive change in the governance and administration of the country
As such, he outlined three areas of reform, including on key institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Attorney-General's Chambers, the judiciary and police, which he said had failed to stem corruption and abuse of power.
The other two points, he said, are a reform of the electoral system and the repeal of the Sedition Act and all repressive laws that pervert democracy.
He also said that BN must take full responsibility for the current state of affairs
"Their corruption, abuse of power, arrogance and appallingly poor governance has brought Malaysia to this state. The utter collapse of the Greek economy is a warning of what can yet happen to our beloved country,” he said.
themalaymailonline.com