COMMENT The recent Citizens' Declaration inked with the support of 58 individuals from various political parties and NGOs might face the possibility of being debunked as fast it came up.

However, I would not underestimate its pragmatic significance in the light of deep-seated ethnic, religious and class divisions in the country.

The very fact that strange bedfellows could even come together to ink the declaration augurs well for even a limited cooperation premised on the urgent need to remove Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Whether they will succeed or not, is not important to me at this juncture; what is impostant is the very process that might be unleashed to achieve this objective.

The very idea of coming together is significant to me simply because such historic landmarks are few and far between in the country.

The important political question for reform-minded political parties and NGOs is to speed up contradictions within the ruling coalition at this juncture.

While such a quest could be in the minds of the individuals concerned, however, they are never discussed in the open, lest they be accused of opportunism.

However, non-discussion of this important point does not render it insignificant. For political parties like the DAP or its partners in Pakatan Harapan, taking on Umno-BN and rendering it impotent represents an urgent task to be performed and executed before the dawn of the next general election.

While there practical difficulties to take Umno ahead on, as 60 years have amply demonstrated, a more "devious" method would be to join forces with those who have left Umno or who have become alienated from Umno over the years.

Breaking Umno

It is an axiom that if you break Umno, you break its monopoly of political power in Malaysia. The rest of the BN political parties would just fall like dominoes.

For the politically disgruntled elements, what better way of speeding up contradictions within Umno than by joining up with Mahathir.

Mahathir has his own axe to grind with Najib in particular.

It only takes extreme form of naivety to believe that Mahathir is in for the institution of major reforms in the country.

As long as his son is restored to a dignified position in Umno and his other children left alone and with plus or minus one or two policies, Mahathir would revert to Umno.

Mahathir’s leaving and rejoining Umno is a political charade in the country.

I don't think Lim Kit Siang or other leaders who have got into this present Citizens' Declaration fold are unaware of the real intentions of Mahathir.

Moreover, to be fair to Mahathir, he is not pretending either. Just examine the recent statement by his son Mukhriz as to the real intention behind the declaration.

Sorry, to say, the NGOs are in just for some populist adventures as they really lack the base.

Getting the support of former Umno members and those who have become disenchanted with the party is one thing.

The critical factor is whether there are objectives that require cooperation and understanding so as to neutralise the present zero-sum approach.

If the results of cooperation are much higher in value than if there are none, then there is a possibility that the declaration might be there for a while. It might even spur activities that might render Najib's stay in power untenable.

However, if the Citizens' Declaration is a mere piece of opportunistic document that hides the real zero-sum intentions of the signatories, then it is only a matter of time before it is thrown into the dustbins of history.

For opposition political parties in Pakatan Harapan, my advice is to ride the tiger while the going is good. Make use of the opportunities as they present themselves.

But be sure to dismount the tiger when it gets hungry and ferocious!

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.