MCLM chief quits in a huff over RPK interview

Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim has resigned from the organisation following Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s interview with New Straits Times (NST) published yesterday.

Haris (right) announced his decision today on his blog, citing the interview as one of the reasons for his “difficult decision”.

He said MCLM chairperson Raja Petra had raised issues during the interview that were contrary to what the former had understood to be the organisation’s stand.

“These comments... greatly undermine efforts I am making, albeit through MLCM, in the Anything But Umno/BN (ABU) initiative.

“It also saddens me that even as initiatives like Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) and so many others continue daily to undo the ill-effects of Umno/BN’s 40 over years of race-based, divide-and-rule (politics), my friend (Raja Petra) should continue to see us as Malays, Chinese, Indians, dll (others),” says Haris.

The lawyer-activist highlighted two comments in the NST article, reproduced in full in Malaysia Today and Umno-linked Malay daily Mingguan Malaysia, that led to his decision.

“(Raja Petra) is reported to have said that ‘MCLM had decided it would not field any candidate for the coming general election’. I can confirm now that no such decision has been made after due consultation.

“...(Raja Petra) is reported to have said that ‘the Egypt-style people’s revolution was not an answer for Malaysia due to the delicate racial balance. They (Chinese voters) don’t want Tahrir Square type of change’,” he said.

Not apprised of interview

Haris said he agreed to accept the invitation to be MCLM president last November, after discussing the matter with Raja Petra in Manchester, after they reached agreement on several issues.

He said two of the issues were instrumental in his decision today to quit.

“First, matters of policy and direction of MCLM were to be determined and made after mutual consultation and consensus between us.

“Second, (Raja Petra, right) would oversee the administrative affairs of MCLM, in his capacity as chairman, as well as look into all overseas matters, whilst I would drive our operations here at home,” said Haris.

He said that while he was aware of Raja Petra’s NST interview, the latter had not kept him apprised of the contents.

Among the contradictions in the interview was Raja Petra’s claim that MCLM would not be fielding any candidate in the next general election- and this was contrary to the group’s announcement last July of a candidate for the Kapar parliamentary constituency, said Haris.

Despite his decision, the lawyer gave his assurance that he was still committed to his conviction that “Umno and BN have to be removed from Putrajaya”.

“I am fully committed to the reforms that we have, up to now, been pressing to see introduced by  a new pro-rakyat government in Putrajaya.

“God willing, we will, together, plant love, tenderness and respect in this land of ours.”

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