Asia's top debater Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has called on Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Umno deputy youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun to sign the Citizens' Declaration on behalf of the country's youth.

"I have always respected you (Khairy). So please join the Citizens' Declaration movement.

"Please come forward to speak to the youth, join us to save the country," said Syed Saddiq at a youth Citizens' Declaration event today at Sultan Sulaiman Club, Kuala Lumpur.

The movement, which seeks the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over various scandals, held a rally on March 27 that saw traditional foes from Umno led by its former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the opposition and civil society come together to push for change

Syed Saddiq made the appeal at the launch of the the Youth chapter of the Save Malaysia movement, which saw a gathering of young leaders from the civil society and political parties.

He was initially addressing the crowd on stage but shifted to the cameras to make the direct appeal to Khairy ( photo ).

In his speech, Syed Saddiq also urged youths not to fear to make a stand as the government cannot possibly act against every individual that join the Save Malaysia movement.

Lacklustre turnout

Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, Bukit Mertajam MP Sim Chee Keong, Penang exco Afif Bahardin and lawyer Melissa Sasidaran.

They declared their support for the Citizens' Declaration in their personal capacity.

However, the turnout was lacklustre, with only some 60 people present.

Among them include 20 Selangor Perkasa members led by its state chief Abu Bakar Yahaya.

The Save Malaysia Youth secretariat also announced a ribbon campaign in the colours of the Malaysian flag as a message of their determination to save Malaysia.

Syed Saddiq urged the public to tie ribbons in the colours of blue, red white and yellow wherever they can.

He added that the main body of Save Malaysia, including former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will also be joining this campaign.

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