Let’s Talk About The Former Prime Ministers
As for Abdullah, some suggested to call him the “Father of Incorruptibility”. Whether it is an appropriate title for him, we will have to wait for the historical evaluation.
By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
There is no doubt that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has a lot of regrets as he is forced to retire early with only five and a half years in office.
Compared to previous prime ministers, his place in history is rather dubious.
The honour of “Father of Independence” or “Father of Malaysia” for the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman is based on his actual achievements of leading the country towards independence.
The second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak took the office in 1970, when the country was covered under the shadow of May 13 racial conflict, which was resulted in an emergency in 1969. He has successfully drawn some opposition parties to form the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition and framed the New Economic Policy (NEP), bringing a new look for UMNO and Malays. He deserves the title “Father of Development”.
| "Eventually, he is forced to hand over his political power under the pressure from within the party." |
Tun Abdul Razak died in London in 1976 and Tun Hussein Onn took the office as the third Prime Minister. He was given the title “Father of Unity” without much controversy.
The fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a modern engineer of Malaysia. His achievements include the domestic cars, Petronas Twin Towers, The North-South Expressway, Putrajaya and adopting a common time-zone for Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, no one can replace him as the “Father of Modernisation”. But he is also a controversial leader. For over 22 years of his tenure of office, with his strongman authoritarian style of leadership, he made great controversies by challenging the royalty, amending the Constitution, deposing Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and launching the Operation Lalang.
As for Abdullah, some suggested to call him the “Father of Incorruptibility”. Whether it is an appropriate title for him, we will have to wait for the historical evaluation.
Abdullah took the office in Oct 2003 and gained the biggest victory in history for BN in the general elections the next year. He vowed to launch anti-corruption actions, reform the judiciary and carry out five economic corridor plans. His liberality and tolerance allowed a greater room of development for the country's democracy and freedom of expression. However, because of his character, he has missed the good opportunity for reform and trapped himself in a plight. BN suffered a great loss in the 8 March 2008 general elections. Eventually, he is forced to hand over his political power under the pressure from within the party.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is going to take the office soon. There are two similarities between his succession process and his late father Tun Abdul Razak's. Firstly, both of them took the office because the former Prime Ministers before them were being forced to step down (previously it was Dr Mahathir and now it is Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, father and son again!). Secondly, both Najib and Tun Razak take over the country's regimes after the ruling party has suffered a great defeats in the general elections and while the country and UMNO is in trouble.
How amazing is the coincidence of history!
