The domestic dispute that grips the nation (Epitaph III)
Now is no longer the time to make her MB. That is far gone. Now is the time NOT to make him MB.
Umar Mukhtar
The Selangor Menteri Besar crisis. The constitutional lawyers are crawling all over it. The democrats see it as a cause celebre for people’s supremacy in a constitutional monarchy. The racists see it as an opportunity to punch holes in the enemies’ armour. The confrontationists are relishing this chance of one-upmanship against an untouchable adversary.
And to think that all these tension-packing scenarios can be removed by a simple act of the inclusion of extra Menteri Besar nominees to the list to the Sultan. But no, Anwar Ibrahim doggedly pushes the envelope as if he is that true democratic champion trying prove the point that a constitutional monarch cannot prevail over the people, to the glee of the DAP who wouldn’t dare take it up by themselves. It is as if that is the issue – the palace versus the people.
The fact is royal prerogatives are in the Constitution. If you don’t like it, then amend it. There are reasons why they are in there as envisaged by the founding fathers. For so long as it is not amended, follow it. Do not try to cause a rift between the people and their sultans just so you can appear like a champion of the people.
From simplistic Kajang Move conjured up by greenhorns with two-dimensional outlooks to this mess that shook the state. Somebody had lost the plot and Khalid is still MB!
In all, however, it is still alright to vehemently argue over an issue brought out by public interest. But would we go through all these trouble over a domestic dispute? Consider this Hindustani movie of epic proportions starring Shivaji the Boss or a simple Greek tragic comedy, whatever your persuasion:
“A long suffering housewife sees her husband off to jail as she faces the hard reality of her arch-rival in the Menteri Besar seat with his alluring young wife whom she loathes, waiting to receive the respects of an ordinary ADUN like herself. He is her powerful deputy in her party and yet by state protocol she is subservient. And to make matters worse, her husband is not around to take instructions from. Not a palatable prospect. Definitely not acceptable.
To be dragged in from her comfortable glamorous life into the gutters of politics, to the sins of cover-ups for a philandering husband and to be severely criticised for a job she is not trained for nor has interest in, for more than a decade. And this is the humiliating final outcome?
Surely she is not deserving of this. While he rests in prison with home-cooked meals and the liberties of a handphone, she is supposed to withstand the stares, patronising whispers and insults in her new situation.
She will not let it happen. She will demand her pound of flesh. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. So the arguments in the kitchen led to threats of a certain kind. Now is no longer the time to make her MB. That is far gone. Now is the time NOT to make him MB. Or else!
So the poor husband scampers around like a cat on a hot tin roof. Making mistake after mistake trying to pretend he is fighting for the people, hence the confrontation with the palace. The truth is he needs more time to conjure up a solution. It’s just a domestic dispute!
To appoint other PKR ADUNS will be awkward. The crown prince is the most experienced and most qualified. To offer it to PAS is a joke; PAS can take it by themselves. To wait for her anger to subside looks like the probable thing. Furthermore, it had worked many times before. All he needs is more time. Hence, the stupid exchange of letters with the palace.
The husband does not have to worry. Or does he? Skeletons in the closet that speaks louder than videos and omega watches? From the horse’s mouth? Think of the children he begs. It’s his fledgling career he is thinking about.
You would expect a defiant roar from the self-professed Pejuang Rakyat. Nothing.
Meow!
Cluck cluck cluck…”
The end of movie.
The nation awaits the outcome of this domestic dispute.
