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13th February, 2011
KUCHING - The Movement For Change, Sarawak (MoCS) is counting the days for Abdul Taib Mahmud to step down as chief minister.
“From today Feb 13, he has exactly six months to vacate his office. We expect him to be gone by August 13, even if BN wins the coming state election,” MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah declared at a press conference here today.
Siah repeated what he said in Penang during a September 16 Malaysia Day celebration last year when he first issued the ultimatum that Taib must step down by August 2011.
“If Taib remains stubborn and refuses to listen, we may have to resort to other courses of action when the time is up,” he had said then
“Today, I am hoping that we will not have to overthrow him. We just want him to step down voluntarily,” Siah said.
Asked what MoCS will do if Taib is still the chief minister by August, Siah replied, “I’m sure you have all heard of people’s power”.
The MoCS leader said it was now very clear that the people of Sarawak want change and that change is only possible with a new state leadership.
“Sarawakians want him to go. Malaysians also feel he should go. Kuala Lumpur has also sent signals that he should go. It seems that Taib is the only one who thinks that he should stay.
“MoCS cannot think of even one reason why Taib should continue as chief minister. We are very reasonable and kind to him; MoCS is giving Taib six months to plan his departure. The Egyptians only gave Mubarak 18 days to leave office,” he said.
On Taib’s recent statement that he has to continue as chief minister because he could not find a successor, Siah said MoCS could help him resolve that ‘problem’ immediately.
“MoCS is ready to accept PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg as the new chief minister. He is quite acceptable among the different races in Sarawak. Abang Johari should fit in nicely as the interim chief minister and Taib can go,” Siah added.
Asked by a reporter whether he thought Taib has any ulterior motive for wanting to stay on, Siah responded, “That seems to be the public perception”.
At the press conference, the movement also announced its endorsement of See Chee How and Abang Zulkifli bin Abg Engkeh of PKR as quality, creditable candidates who deserve the people’s support.
See, the PKR Stampin division chairman, is also MoCS legal adviser. The 46-year-old lawyer has been a social activist for more than 20 years and is now an active politician. He is a partner with Baru Bian Advocates.
Abang Zulkifli, 49, is Sarawak PKR secretary and also the party’s Betong division chairman. He is a businessman and a well known political activist.
So far, MoCS has endorsed 11 candidates, four from PKR and seven from DAP.
Siah also reiterated the movement’s independent political stand, saying that MoCS will also endorse several Barisan Nasional candidates in the days ahead.
“We will be fair to the BN. Several of their elected representatives have performed well and also deserve the support of Sarawakians,” he added.
Released by
The MoCS Team
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