Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) has condemned attempts to form a backdoor government, saying such a move would be a “black stain” on the country’s history.

“Abim sees this as a betrayal of the rakyat’s aspirations for change, when (alleged) kleptocratic leaders brought down by the people in GE14 have now planned to return to lead the government without the legitimate mandate by the people.

“The federal government, which has not even reached two years since GE14, and efforts towards better changes, improvements to governance, transparency, integrity as well as balance and reduction of executive power which are still unsatisfactory, have been sabotaged by those who reject change towards a better, more transparent system.

“What has happened will become a black stain in the country’s political history, when the rakyat’s desire for change is forsaken by the prime minister himself, Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” Abim president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz (photo) said in a statement.

He expressed disappointment that such “politicking” took place after last Friday’s Pakatan Harapan president council meeting to decide on the transition of power issue between Mahathir and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“The people want the current government to focus on developing the country and institutional reforms as well as focus on holistic economic growth.”

Worse, he questioned the effectiveness of such a move towards the country’s socio-political stability which could spook investors.

It further called on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to surrender the matter to Parliament to decide on any change of leadership.

“[...] This is important so that any change in government (if it happens) is seen as transparent and democratic when decided upon in an official platform mandated by the people...it will also distance the palace by political struggles,” Faisal added.

Yesterday, Azmin representing his faction in PKR, as well as leaders from Bersatu, Umno, PAS, GPS and Warisan had gone to Istana Negara, purportedly to show that they now have majority support to form a new ruling coalition.