Attacks on Ambiga justify Negara-Ku, says Zaid

The barrage of criticism by right-wing groups against former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan over the formation of Negara-Ku, has justified the need for the new movement, said its chairperson Zaid Kamaruddin today.

In a statement, he said the personal attacks aimed at Ambiga "vindicated" the decision to initiate the movement.

"This vindicates the decision of my colleagues and I to initiate the Negara-Ku people's movement and explains why our call to resist all forms of intolerance, bigotry, hatred and extremism is slowly but surely resonating with many," he added.

Zaid (right) was referring to statements made by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) leaders, who had accused Ambiga, who is also a former Bar Council chairperson, of "changing tune" within 24 hours.

Isma had accused Ambiga of reneging on her promise to uphold the Federal Constitution by asking Pakatan Rakyat to push for legislation against unilateral conversion.

"Implicit in this contention is the assumption that a call to amend the constitution amounts to an attack and challenge (to the constitution)," Zaid said.

He pointed out that the constitution has been amended over 700 times since its inception.

“This would mean that the Federal Constitution has been under serial attack by the government since independence,” he said further.

He also shot down accusations that Ambiga called for an "amendment" to the Federal Constitution on the matter of unilateral conversion.

"She did not. She had asked for a legislation to address the problem that has caused grave concern to many quarters," he added.