Mahathir the Kingmaker and Kingslayer

By admin-s On Apr 6, 2015

Now that his chosen king has not lived up to his expectations, the slayer comes to claim his due.

Scott Ng, FMT

Ask yourself, just who is the Opposition Leader right now? Is it Lim Kit Siang? Perhaps even Azmin Ali? Nurul Izzah? Or perhaps, even Hadi Awang?

It’s starting to look like the answer is none of the above.

That title should now go to our former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. It was speculated for some time that Mahathir wanted Najib out of office, and all that speculation has come to a head with the good doctor announcing unequivocally that Najib must step down.

All the protestations of Umno ministers that Mahathir did not intend to unseat Najib ring hollow, and perhaps the single most influential force in Malaysian politics today has made it clear that the current Prime Minister cannot continue to hold the premiership. And as always, what Mahathir wants, Mahathir will get.

While the opposition meanders aimlessly with the absence of PKR head Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir has taken up the role of lead attacker of the policies and mistakes of the government. He was especially savage on the mismanagement of the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, saying that it was using money we did not have and driving the country deeper into debt.

He also called into question the verdict of the Altantuya trial, saying that Sirul Azhar, one of the convicted murderers, deserved to tell his side of the story, noting that Sirul claimed there were other hands that escaped the trial. Mahathir even testified to Sirul’s character, saying that the officer had been his bodyguard before and did not murder anyone then.

More important, however, is that Mahathir knows or suspects there are indeed culprits who got away, or else he would have no reason to reveal his association with a convicted murderer.

He questioned the wealth of Najib’s stepson, Hollywood producer Riza Aziz, arguing that even with Riza’s Hollywood success, he would not have enough money to purchase several extremely expensive properties, especially considering his former career as a junior banker in jolly old England.

The doctor even predicted that Barisan Nasional, the coalition which has ruled Malaysia since Merdeka, will fall from power should Najib continue to lead the coalition.

In short, he is the single greatest threat our government has ever faced since he himself left office in 2003. More than that, his voice is still authoritative as our longest serving prime minister. Generations still recognise his face and voice as that of the leader of our country, despite any negative sentiments we may harbour against Mahathir. He is a man capable of commanding awe, respect, and fear.