The Malaysiann Insider
23 July 2015
As Malaysia grapples with a national leadership crisis, Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today said he plans to start a new reconciliation initiative involving Malay and non-Malay non-governmental leaders as well as civil society groups.
The Gua Musang MP, popularly known as Ku Li, said the worsening situation that was caused by allegations of financial impropriety against the country’s leadership, now called for efforts to reconcile and find solutions for the country’s future.
He said he would a start a “Truth, Reconciliation and Healing initiative” to seek solution to the current leadership crisis.
“Since the current leadership crisis involves mainly the Malay community, which is deeply divided, I would like to start and focus my consultative process with Malay leaders and relevant Malay organisations.
“But the fallout of the crisis also affects the non-Malays and in fact, the entire country, so I would also like to engage with non-Malay politicians and relevant civil society NGOs,” he said in a statement.
Ku Li said the initiative was needed to prevent the country from sliding into further “self destruction”.
“Something must be done quickly to prevent the country from descending further into civil chaos and conflict.”
He also described Malaysia’s leadership crisis as the result of “serious allegations of financial impropriety against the Prime Minister and calls for him to step down”.
“The crisis is further undermining the Malaysian economy which is already facing external and global challenges.”
Although he did not mention specific examples, Ku Li’s remarks about a national leadership crisis comes as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is faced with allegations that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) was deposited into his personal bank accounts from entities related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
1MDB has also allegedly committed financial wrongdoing and has put Najib in the spotlight as the finance minister and chairman of the state investment firm’s advisory board.
Najib is facing calls to resign, led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Ku Li said the leadership crisis had begun to divert attention away from governance and socio-economic development.
“Investors’ confidence is low and many businesses are suffering. The signs of the times are not good for ordinary people.”
Appealing for support for his reconciliation effort, Ku Li said the “destructive infighting” among the leadership must stop so that focus could be returned to ensuring the well-being of citizens and the country. – July 23, 2015.