Led by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, they approached members of the public to obtain signatures for the Citizens’ Declaration which calls for Najib to step down so that institutional reforms can take place.
Dr Mahathir, speaking to a crowd of about 200, said: “We are here to gain support from the public so we can bring down Najib’s administration. Why? Because he has done a lot of wrongs that have caused the rakyat to suffer. Prices of goods are rising while the Ringgit has plummeted.
“Our children can’t get scholarships to study in universities. We have plenty of graduates who can’t get a job while those who had jobs were retrenched.
“So please sign the Citizen’s Declaration which we plan to forward to the Rulers. We want to get the one million signatures as soon as possible.”
PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali pleaded with the public to join the effort to end Najib’s government.
“We as Malaysians are responsible to save our country. This is not about revenge and it is nothing personal but this person (Najib) is controlling absolutely everything,” Azmin said.
“Enough is enough! Let’s sign this declaration. We can see how Mahathir, despite being 91, still has the spirit of a 41-year-old. So the youth has to ensure that the country is saved.”
PKR’s Tian Chua, who is MP for Batu; former Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan; Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah; and thrice-crowned Asia’s top debater Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, were among other leaders who took part.
They trawled the street for signatures, posing for photographs with excited passers-by in exchange for having their names and IC numbers recorded on the declaration.
Mahathir, though showing signs of fatigue, smiled and posed for photo after photo and at one point even allowed a woman to sign the declaration on his back.
Chua attracted a crowd of his own as he displayed his sales skills, shouting out in pasar malam style, “Mari, mari, tandatangan Deklarasi Rakyat. Rakyat berani, Malaysia selamat.” (Come, come, sign the Citizen’s Declaration. Brave Rakyat, Malaysia safe.)
The scene was one for the history books, as the leaders dropped all form of formality, joking and mingling with the public.
“This is definitely something we plan on doing again,” said Ambiga. “I’m amazed by the support and I didn’t expect so many people to be so willing to sign (the declaration). “We are going all out as this is important for Malaysia. For me there is no other way at this point.” And off she went to get more signatures.
The walkabout ended with all of them going for dinner at the Coliseum restaurant where they sat together at one table.