The Universiti Malaya Chinese Language Society yesterday retracted its signature on a joint statement calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The state was issued by seven youth organisations following the US Department of Justice's lawsuits to seize assets linked to 1MDB.

“There are some contradictions in the statement. We decided to retract it after two-thirds of the committee members voted to do so in an internal meeting,” a committee member who declined to be identified told Malaysiakini.

In their Facebook page yesterday, the society also explained that there were some “internal communications problems” in deciding to sign the joint statement, but did not elaborate on the matter.

However, it urged that those behind the crimes alleged in the lawsuits should be held responsible for damaging Malaysia's credibility.

“We also hope that the government will give its utmost cooperation in the investigation as promised to uncover the truth through a due judicial process; the society urges the related Malaysian authorities to ensure the impartiality and transparency in the process,” it said.

Another organisation in the coalition, University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany), did not agree with the decision to retract.

“Currently the 31st committee is newly formed, the 30th has not yet resigned.

"We presented the statement to the president of the 31st committee, he agreed to jointly sign the statement but those who are in the 30th committee did not, that’s why they retracted,” said Umany president Ho Chi Yang (photo).

He told Malaysiakini that its committee is in a transitional period.

Ho is a member of the 30th executive committee. He said some of the old committee members are concerned Universiti Malaya's management may take action against them.

“The 30th committee is in fear even before the school takes action. I told the new committee even if they are afraid, why not wait till the Student Affairs Department announce their action. But they decided to proceed with the retraction,” he said.

“During this critical period, we hope to gather the voices of all university students to give out their opinion. Still, we welcome other campus organisations especially the Chinese society to stand with us, telling the society we are against corruption and dictatorship,” Umany wrote on their Facebook page yesterday.

“We hope the Chinese Society will stand with us, resiliently. We can understand if it is a temporary fallout, but the awareness should not stop.”

Last week, DOJ filed the suits claiming that funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB had been used to settle gambling debts, purchase properties, artworks, a yacht and even a plane.

Among the four named in the filings are Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz, and businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, who is reportedly close to the prime minister’s family.

The DOJ also alleged that 'Malaysian Official 1', whom it described as a high ranking public official who had a position of authority in 1MDB, had received US$731 million allegedly siphoned from the state investment firm.

Najib is the chairperson of the 1MDB board of advisors. He also helms the Finance Ministry, which is the sole shareholder of the allegation-riddled firm.

The prime minister has repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain, and attorney-general Mohamad Apandi Ali has cleared him of any wrongdoing.

The youth organisations which issued the statement on July 23 include Umany, University of Malaya Chinese Society, Malaysia Youth & Student Democratic Movement, Student Progressive Front USM, Student Progressive Front UUM, Student Progressive Front, New Era College Student Progressive Front and KLSCAH Youth.

The statement demanded Najib's resignation to ensure no political interference in investigations. It also accused Najib of betraying the people's trust and the country's reputation.