Interviewed by FMT in conjunction with the upcoming March 27 closed-door gathering, Zaid said that the event was part of the larger “Save Malaysia Movement” fronted by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed.
“The goal of this movement is to get people to be more forward in this country, less fearful. Fear is the most inhibitive factor in this country,” Zaid told FMT. “That’s why we don’t have reform, because people are scared.”
“People must be brave enough to speak and stand up,” he said.
“Donate for what they think is a good cause. Donation is not just money,” Zaid was quick to emphasise. “It shows your support. Even if it’s just RM50, it’s support.”
Zaid dismissed detractors of the movement sparked by the recent Citizens’ Declaration as being fearful themselves, saying that their criticisms only belied their desperation.
“Those are statements made by people who are fearful and scared. They’re desperate. They’ll ridicule and make fun of you, but I think that if they are so strong, they wouldn’t be closing down this and that, arresting people left and right.
“People can see. They’re closing down news portals, amending the laws, registering bloggers. They’re getting more dictatorial. That shows that they’re losing support,” Zaid said.
Zaid said that the gathering aimed to show Malaysians the “risks of doing nothing”, and what they had to lose with the government still in power.
“They’ll (the people) be less fearful if they understand the risks of doing nothing. You just have to decide. We’re not saying that Malaysians should be like the Indonesians and Filipinos marching in the streets, what with university students being brave and getting shot — we hope that we’ll not have to go through that.
Titled the Citizens’ Congress 2016, the gathering will see leaders from the major political parties, NGOs, workers’ unions, and individuals supporting the Citizens’ Declaration coming in support.
Besides Dr Mahathir, speakers at the event will include Muhyiddin Yassin, Azmin Ali, Lim Kit Siang, Mohamad Sabu, Husam Musa, Mahfuz Omar and Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Zaid has described the congress’ aims as being to form the “framework of follow-up actions to ultimately change the current head of the nation’s leadership”, according to an official statement released last week.
“It will discuss the country’s new direction, that is, to return to an administration that rejects corruption and the misuse of power, builds a healthy and democratic political culture, good administration, respects and obeys the law, and no less importantly, returns the government institution to one that functions professionally and with integrity,” the statement read.
The March 27 gathering has so far garnered in excess of RM20,000 in donations.
“That is a fairly good start but well short of the RM95,000 needed to cover the cost of the gathering,” Zaid said, adding his confidence that Malaysians, frustrated with the current political climate, will over time develop a crowd-funding mentality to generate the awareness required for real change to take place.
A bank account opened under the name ‘Great Country Venture’ and jointly operated by Zaid, Dr Syed Azman and an accountant has been set up to receive donations from Malaysians.
The account number is 8007944402 (CIMB).
“We wish to be clear that the money will only be used to fund activities approved by the leadership of Gerakan Selamatkan Malaysia (Save Malaysia), chaired by Tun Dr Mahathir himself.
“It will be audited regularly to ensure that the utilisation of funds is in accordance with the purpose and objectives of Gerakan Selamatkan Malaysia,” Zaid said.