Mahathir’s Reformasi? A Timely Warning That A Leopard Never Changes Its Spots

Malaysian Digest

“Undur Mahathir, undur!”

Tens of thousands had marched on the streets of Kuala Lumpur chanting those words calling for Mahathir to step down as well as the call for “Reformasi!”.

That famous scene back in 1998 was recalled by blogger Capt Abdul Rahmat Omar Tun Mohd Hanif in his recent blogpost to discuss the implications of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s nomination as the Opposition’s prime minister designate.

He pointed out that in the street demonstrations following jailed former Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s expulsion from UMNO, it was none other than current Selangor Mentri Besar who led the protestors.

“Leading this group of demonstrators was Anwar’s most loyal lieutenants, Azmin Ali, who was his Principal Private Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office,” the blogger points out the irony of how Azmin is now forced to cooperate with Mahathir today.

Adding insult to injury is the fact that Mahathir manouevred himself into the PM-designate post despite Datuk Seri Azmin Ali being the popular choice.

“With Anwar still in jail, Azmin is the most favourite choice for Pakatan’s Prime Minister-designate amongst the younger generation.

“Or that was what we all thought would happen,” he added.

However, the blogger said that having being pushed over for the top post, Azmin reacted by offering his Gombak constituency which was rejected by Mahathir, who considered it an insult.

But what was left unsaid could be more dangerous, according to Capt Rahmat.

“A leopard never changes its spots – and true to his character, Mahathir announced that he will deal with dissenters quietly – a reminder of his 22-year reign of terror,” the blogger went on to reveal that following that incident, rumours of Azmin’s alleged affair with another married woman has begun circulating online.

Pic: seademon.me

Besides targeting Azmin, perhaps the chosen deputy PM candidate, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah had better start watching her back too, as highlighted by blogger Lim Sian See (LSS).

In a recent posting on Facebook, LSS detailed how past deputy prime ministers who served under Mahathir do not fare very well in the end.

“With Tun Mahathir around, Deputy Prime Ministers in the past do not have a good history.

“Hopefully Kak Wan will be an exception – but watch your back!” LSS captioned a chart detailing the fate of past deputies under Mahathir.

Pic: Facebook