Patriot president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said each NGO or association would be allowed five minutes to speak at the forum entitled “Aspirasi Rakyat”, to be held at The Mines International Convention Centre on May 6.

He said Patriot would also invite political leaders such as Prime Minister Najib Razak and Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

MCA’s Liow Tiong Lai is also on the list, along with Gerakan’s Mah Siew Keong, MIC’s Dr S Subramaniam, Amanah’s Mohamad Sabu, and DAP’s Lim Kit Siang.

Patriot also plans to invite PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PPBM’s Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS’ Abdul Hadi Awang.

However, Arshad said Patriot knew these leaders would be busy preparing for the May 9 election and were likely to send representatives in their stead.

“This will enable the politicians to know what the people want when they form the next government after the election.

“It also gives the opportunity to NGOs and groups to speak to the politicians. For the politicians, it gives them the opportunity to better understand the needs of the people and to mingle with them,” he said today.

He added that speakers would only be allowed to state the aspirations of the group for the nation.

“At the end of the forum, a communique will be released to the media and the public. A compilation and summary of all points from participating NGOs/groups will also be handed to the coalition parties that will form the next government,” he said.

Patriot hopes to attract more than 1,000 people for the event.

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