Apart from this, the former premier said civil servants were also apprehensive in backing the declaration which seeks the removal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“Some of them however were brave enough to step forward and support as well as sign the declaration,” he told reporters in Putrajaya.
Mahathir also alleged that Najib’s camp employed various propaganda and other methods, including racism, to influence the people not to support the declaration.
However, he said these tactics failed and most people know that the declaration is not motivated by politics or personal agendas, but represented them regardless of race, religion and political leanings.
“Attempts to portray this effort as an attempt to topple a democratically elected government also failed because the objective (of the declaration) is to demand Najib’s resignation,” he added.
Mahathir revealed that 1.27 million signatures have been collected, surpassing the initial target of one million.
The former premier said he would personally deliver the signatures to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Najib’s press aide Tengku Shariffuddin Tengku Ahmad previously accused Mahathir of spearheading a campaign against Najib in order to clear the path for his son Mukhiz to become prime minister.
Mukhriz has since sued Tengku Sharifuddin for defamation.
The Citizens’ Declaration had witnessed Mahathir sharing the same stage as his former political foes and civil society leaders who were once critical of his leadership.
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