Dr M turns up the heat

It is tough to be criticised by the awesome Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is holding up to the attacks and his standing in Umno is unshaken.

Joceline Tan, The Star

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad likes it hot.

The air-conditioning in the dimly lit Putrajaya office had apparently been switched off even though it was a brilliant day outside. On top of that, Dr Mahathir was wearing a grey long-sleeved jumper under his dark bush suit. Yet he looked as cool as a cucumber.

He seemed mildly amused as I dabbed sweat from the top of my nose. Initially, I thought it was because I was nervous sitting before the big man but Dr Mahathir in person is not as intimidating as his larger-than-life image in the media.

He is actually quite slight-built, there is an understated elegance in the way he moves and his self-deprecating wit can be very charming. He rarely puts down reporters even if he does not appreciate their questions and, for someone famous for blasting off everyone, he is surprisingly soft-spoken.

Well, the man is not only adept at taking the heat, he can also punch and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been at the receiving end of some of these punches the last couple of months.

Dr Mahathir caused quite a stir back in August when he announced he was withdrawing support for Najib, citing reasons that included government policies and decisions, foreign affairs, handling of race and religious issues and, of course, Najib’s failure to do better than Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the general election.

It sent shock waves through the Umno rank and file. There were those who thought it was about time somebody of stature “speak and tell the president” what was wrong with his policies.

At the same time, there were also those who could not accept that the former premier was trying to topple yet another sitting Prime Minister, or what one of them called “a sequel”.

Many in Umno were deeply worried for Najib but, more than that, they were also worried for themselves.

Shaking up the Umno president would unsettle the party and they would, ultimately, be the big losers. None of them, especially the divisional level leaders in Umno, wanted that to happen and their instinct for self-survival kicked in.

There has been more criticism since, through Dr Mahathir’s ever-popular chedet.cc blog.

But it is clear by now that Dr Mahathir’s strategic “unfriending” of Najib is turning out quite differently from that of Abdullah’s.

Najib is nowhere near from being pushed from his perch. His footing in Umno may have become even more secure since the attacks began because there has been some circling the wagon phenomenon, so to speak.

Professional photographer Minag Jinggo, who was tailing Dr Mahathir when the latter began his campaign against Abdullah, said there has been lukewarm interest from Umno members compared to when Dr Mahathir had criticised Abdullah.

“Back then, even Mubarak (organisation of retired wakil rakyat) was all worked up. They were holding secret meetings, they could see Pak Lah was not in control and they were fully behind Tun Mahathir. But nothing like that is going on now,” said Jinggo.

Jinggo’s take is that Umno does not want to remove another president this way.

Mubarak, whose patron is Dr Mahathir, is on Najib’s side. Mubarak president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman is a rather polished former assemblyman. He is also from Pahang and everyone knows where his loyalties lie.

“It would be better if Tun Mahathir whispers directly to Najib. We are in the same family, it is not good to go public like this,” he said.

It is also evident by now that Dr Mahathir’s intentions do not extend to toppling Najib. He is critical of the things Najib is doing, he thinks certain things should be done differently and he wants Najib to do better.

Asked to elaborate on what “withdrawing support” for Najib really means, he said he would have to hold his tongue if he supports Najib.

“I am now free to speak my mind, to say what I want. I can criticise him, his policies. I don’t want to cause the downfall of another leader, as if I am the only leader. But when a policy is wrong, if they acknowledge and correct the mistake, I have no wish to bring them down,” he said.

He said he will only comment on Najib’s policies, he will not go into personal matters and that includes the First Lady who has been a target of the Opposition. In fact, his tone actually softened when speaking of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Dr Mahathir admits his words seem to have fallen on deaf ears and he blames it on the culture of Umno to “clap and give standing ovation” to what the leader says.

Are his expectations too high?

“I am not setting myself as a benchmark. I expected him to understand, after Pak Lah’s mistakes, not to do things that will cause him and the party to be unpopular. You know me, I think deeply before I make a decision. I restrained myself for a long time,” he said.

Dr Mahathir’s critique also extends to the Barisan Nasional election strategy. He takes a dim view of the BR1M payouts, the free mega dinners during the election campaign and what he saw as the artificial mass adulation in the form of “I love PM” placards.

“I would rather talk to 200 people eye-to-eye than 10,000 people who are there for the free food, not the speeches,” he said.

The Umno crowd has, in their own way, been mulling over what Dr Mahathir said.

The thinking ones dissect the issues and they can see that he makes sense. Some of the things he is saying are what they have been talking about.

The proletarian set have a more down-to-earth view. They are curious about why this big man is doing it again.

The first time around, everyone assumed he wanted to save Umno and ensure that Barisan survives the next general election. Hence, the groundswell back then.

But this time, many of them think Dr Mahathir’s action may cause the downfall of Umno. Najib did worse than Pak Lah in the polls, but they can see that he is not another Pak Lah.

He does not fall asleep, he works hard, he is energetic and when he talks, they can see that he knows what he is talking about.

But they wish he would act and talk tougher. Many of them were elated when Najib told the Chinese not to make demands if they do not support the government because he took the words out of their mouth.

The lukewarm reception also has to do with the fact that Dr Mahathir is getting along in years. Six years ago, he was still pretty mobile and energetic. He was going around, accepting invitations to speak and mobbed by the media wherever he turned.

His heart cannot take too much excitement now otherwise he would go round again. Moreover, his family exerts a tight control over his appointments and he has complained before that they hijack some of the invitations that pour into his office.

According to mobile content provider executive Zakhir Mohamad, Dr Mahathir’s criticism is taking place at a time when the average person is suffering from political fatigue.

“There has been so much politics, especially in Selangor. It has been a terrible year. Ordinary people feel let down by politicians, they are tired, they have switched off.

“Politics has become background noise, people are not listening anymore,” he said.

Zakhir, who is a die-hard Mahathir admirer, said Dr Mahathir may have to change his strategy to get the desired effect.

The Najib camp has not taken anything for granted. They are the first to acknowledge the star power of the former premier whose licence to speak is akin to James Bond’s licence to kill.

They have chosen not to react. Or rather, the big boss has laid it down – no counterattacks, badmouthing or any disrespectful action. It is, in a way, a counter strategy because there is no fun punching into thin air.

“My sense is that he genuinely wants to make a constructive contribution, to make Umno stronger and guarantee Barisan’s survival. There is a need for that sort of constructive critique and space. But when it comes from Tun Mahathir, people look at the messenger and not the message,” said a Najib insider.

The Mahathir die-hards accuse the Najib side of discouraging discussion on what Dr Mahathir is saying. On the other hand, the Najib defenders say that the former premier must learn how to let go and that his strongman brand of politics does not work in the Internet age.

Dr Mahathir’s voice still carries weight but it does not resonate the way it used to. Those who used to cling onto his every word and utterance are slowly being outnumbered by a generation looking to more contemporary heroes.

His family ties with Umno is still intact. He will be at the opening of the Umno general assembly next month.

“If I am invited,” he said with a half cheeky, half cynical smile.

Of course, he will get an invitation. He and Abdullah will get the best seats in the house although never next to each other and the Umno crowd will give them the loudest of applause.

He will always be special and the Umno folk will show him love and respect even if they do not listen to everything he says.