Mahathir reaps what he sows
Chen Yuan Fong, China Press
Does the senior citizen Mahathir aged 90 know anything about “karma”? If he can understand it, he will be able to relate his present situation is a result of his past actions.
When Mahathir was the Prime Minister, Lim Kit Siang was his staunch opponent. At the parliamentary sessions, they were seated directly opposite each other. During debates, Mahathir was full of confidence sparring with Lim Kit Siang who was always attacking vigorously in anger but all in vain. At that time if someone prophesized that these two loggerheads would work together to overthrow Barisan Nasional or the UMNO government, no one would ever believe it and neither were these two.
Today both are willing to put aside their past grudges and resentment to form a new political alliance!
Anwar was sacked by Mahathir in 1988. Overnight Anwar not only lost his position as the Deputy Prime Minister but was also charged with embarrassed offences until he was put behind bars for a few years. After Anwar was released from jail, he continued to soldier on against Mahathir’s successors. During this period it generated two political tsunamis which nearly toppled the ruling power of Barisan Nasional. At this time if someone prophesized Anwar and Mahathir would form an alliance to topple the UMNO President, everybody would scoff at the idea.
A few days ago, Anwar responded positively towards Mahathir’s new party. At present many of the PKR leaders were already in good terms with Mahathir even though the objective of forming PKR was to topple Mahathir and UMNO.
It is only another round of political turbulence!
Previously Mahathir’s darling was UMNO. Under the influence of UMNO, he became the most powerful Prime Minister in the history of Malaysia. The present political outlook of UMNO is the foundation laid by Mahathir during his more than twenty years in power. At present the UMNO President has overwhelming advantages over others is the consequences of Mahathir’s political manipulation during his era.
If there were no UMNO and Barisan Nasional, what would Mahathir be? Now Mahathir wants to form a new party to counter UMNO. He wants to form a new political alliance to replace Barisan Nasional. If Mahathir really plays such a role, where are his political principle and belief?
The political love and hate drama directed by Mahathir was working together with few decades old political rivals to topple the few decades old political darling of his. This is the true story of Mahathir reaping what he sowed which we cannot understand and find answers to this political intrigue! Is Mahathir finally awoke or getting his own “karma”?
Using the present means to counter his past wrongdoing
No matter how good or noble is Mahathir’s rationale, the most important factor is his newly formed party and alliance must be able to convince the Malays to get their support. In the past Mahathir always tied the interests of the Malays with the interest of the party. Anybody who criticized UMNO was equivalent to criticizing the Malays. Can he break the baggage that he had set up? I am quite doubtful.
From a positive perspective, if the Opposition alliance can develop an opportunity to rise from the present low esteem, it is a blessing. However if the strength depends solely on Mahathir joining the Opposition, to me it is not enough.
Mahathir had left his office as a premier for more than a decade and his resources in hand are quite limited. Moreover this was the second time he tried to topple his successor. An ouster followed by another cannot create a common uprising force in UMNO internally, not even talking about others. The issue of the political donation had lost its dynamics. What issue will Mahathir create to generate the support of Malays for him?
A Malay friend of mine asked my opinion on the new party formed by Mahathir to counter Barisan Nasional and I threw the question back to him. He just shook his head and said: “He always feel what he does is always right and what others do is always wrong”. Yes, that is Mahathir!
I really hope that Mahathir can help the nation to chart a new political path. However, the issue is complicated; I am not sure whether to place high hopes on the new alliance or just be indifferent!
