DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today denied that joining forces with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to launch the Citizens’ Declaration had backfired on the opposition parties or civil society.

“The government is clearly shaken and affected by the Citizens’ Declaration.

“Najib (Abdul Razak) must give serious consideration (to the movement) although he pretends not to be influenced by it,” he said during a press conference at DAP’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rather than reacting defensively against critics, Lim said the Citizen’s Declaration movement has also moved ahead with its plans to oust Prime Minister Najib.

“They are shaken and the Citizens’ Declaration is resonating among the people, although there are people with differences of views.

“Whether it will succeed or what’s the final step and stuff, I said we must take one thing at a time...,” he said.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today, Najib had poked fun at Mahathir for teaming up with the opposition.

He said this in dismissing concerns from BN lawmakers over an alleged ‘hate campaign’ aimed at him.

‘More new signatories’

At the press conference, Lim was also joined by 10 other new signatories to the Citizens’ Declaration, comprising DAP and civil society leaders.

Among those who were present were Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, national laureate A Samad Said and constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari.

Commenting on the matter, Aziz said there was a clearer sign that the movement had negatively affected Umno.

“Syed Hassan Syed Ali said Perkasa is split between supporting Najib and Mahathir...,” he said in reference to Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

Syed Hassan yesterday said the split occurred following the presence of Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali during the signing of the Citizens' Declaration on March 4.

Aziz also cited outcome of a recent Malaysiakini poll that shows widespread support from netizens towards the movement and Mahathir’s role in bringing together unconventional allies.

Of the 5,852 respondents on Malaysiakini ’s English Facebook and Twitter accounts, 76.2 percent were in favour of the declaration.