Ezam: I’m always pro-reforms, will never be a bootlicker
PUCHONG: I will always champion reforms and transformation, even if it means changing my stance from time to time, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Movement chairman Datuk Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor.
He said this in response to several quarters circulating videos online, showing him declaring support for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take on Barisan Nasional before the last general election.
“Yes, I did support Mahathir to become Pakatan Harapan’s prime ministerial candidate in the past.
“In fact, I was one of the earliest people to offer support to him when the 1MDB corruption case became public knowledge,” said Ezam, in a statement.
However, the former Umno senator said he decided to abandon Mahathir after the latter started reverting to his time-tested method of remaining in power; the divide and rule strategy.
“One example is the infamous Malay Dignity Congress. I found out that his allies were instrumental in organising the meeting. It was a betrayal to the people’s mandate.
“Yet again, racial and religious issues were played up to the hilt. All those who were brownnosing the kleptocrats in the last general election such as Umno and PAS joined hands for the congress.
“Basically, Mahathir just spat on the faces of those who gave him the mandate to rule again,” he said.
The second reason, Ezam said, was that Mahathir refused to listen to the people’s frustration despite suffering a humiliating defeat at the Tanjung Piai by-election.
“The people were angry as the economy was going south. Why did that happen? Because the economy relies on political stability, and in our case, the promised power transition plan.
“And instead of being humble after losing Tanjung Piai, Mahathir decided to toy around the power transition plan. He just refuses to set an official date for it.
“Recently, Mahathir said he will resign after the APEC summit. Now, Mahathir wants the Dewan Rakyat to decide on it. This is the way a dictator speaks,” he said.
Ezam added that all this made him frustrated with the nonagenarian and he decided to speak against the prime minister.
He added that this type of autocratic politicking style, coupled with racism, should be rejected at an early stage itself before it was too late.
“This is disgusting. These types of politicians will always be anti-reforms and must be challenged.
“And to those who are casting aspersion on my behaviour, hear me out. I will always be a champion of reforms, not a toady like some,” Ezam said.
By G Vinod
