KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he would be more than willing to speak at the purported gathering of “leaders” next month to oppose the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak if he is invited.
“If he (Datuk Zaid Ibrahim) wants me to, I will speak,” he told reporters outside KLCC today, referring to the event’s organiser.
Dr Mahathir, who was previously opposed to rallies and gatherings said that he now had a change of heart because there were no proper avenues left to express dissent.
“Things have changed. Before you have other forums to voice your opposition to the government. Now there is no more. Even rallies are not allowed.
“Now they are going to stop people meeting even inside the building. Before that was allowed, now you cannot,” Dr Mahathir added.
Zaid announced the event in response to Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Apandi Ali’s decision to close the cases on the movement of RM42 million from SRC International and the RM2.6 billion deposited in Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s accounts in 2013.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has cautioned Zaid against proceeding with the rally, with Zaid in turn telling the federal police chief to be professional in the execution of his duties.
Zaid also clarified later to say that the March 27 event was not a rally, but “a gathering of leaders in a closed door setting” to express their desire to see the rule of law upheld.
