Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a surprise appearance at the anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) rally organised by Pakatan Harapan today.

The rally also demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The veteran former Umno president's arrival was announced by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu, who was at the time giving his speech atop a small lorry serving as a makeshift stage.

Due to the thousands gathered, Mohamad urged the rally-goers and the media to make way for the 91-year-old.

Taking the stage, Mahathir said he had personally asked Najib not to implement the GST but the latter still went on with the plan because he wanted to “settle his debts”.

“That's why we must remove him, because he is the reason behind the problems we are facing now,” he said.

Pointing out how 6,000 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) staff were laid-off and 1,000 Petronas employees had faced the same fate, Mahathir said it seemed that it was so easy to simply sack them.

“I, too, was sacked,” he added in reference to his sacking as Petronas advisor, to laughter from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he was appreciative of the fact how thousands had gathered despite the heat to state the problems they face to the government.

“But sadly, Najib is deaf and mute. When there are demonstrations like this, he will interpret it as though the Chinese is trying to topple the government,” he said.

Rakyat's voice must be heard

Noting the mainly Malay crowd today, Mahathir pointed out how the rally was full of Malays as well as Chinese and Indians.

“Therefore we need to remove Najib. Please sign the declaration so that we can submit the rakyat’s grievances to the Malay rulers.”

Admitting though, that this was not written in the constitution, Mahathir however said that the rulers will listen to the people’s voice.

“Without the rakyat, there will be no rulers. That's why the rakyat’s support must be taken into account and their grievances heard by the rulers although it is not stated in the constitution,” he said.

Before he ended his five-minute speech, Mahathir again urged the people gathered today to sign the declaration before they leave the rally.

Mahathir is currently spearheading the Citizens Declaration movement, which demands for the resignation of Najib, among others.

Signatures to the declaration will be collected before they are submitted to the council of rulers in hopes for further action to be taken by them.

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