The Citizens’ Declaration is a 37-paragraph statement issued by some ex-politicians of fame (or, is it infame) and many civil society individuals or CSIs in their personal capacity. Dr Mahathir Mohamad initiated it, then resigned from Umno, and now leads the signing of this document by citizens. Both Ambiga Sreenevasan and Maria Chin Abdullah signed in their personal capacities; not as Bersih. After all it is a Citizens’ Declaration.

My reason for signing the Citizens’ Declaration

All citizens must pay taxes on all real income and it is one clear and distinct way to raise funds for the governance of any nation-state. Private and personal income tax of every eligible citizen is the one remaining form of direct personal tax based on income levels.

If income tax is earned, tax must be paid for all income, except for allowed deductibles. One deductible can be ‘gifts or donations received’. If the person in question did in fact receive a donation from a so-called Saudi personality, then he should have declared that amount and the gift by law, and by voluntary declaration for personal income tax purposes.