You just can’t trust a habitual kleptocrat
(Malaysiakini) – In every election, it was about the opposition versus the BN government. Over time, a collective effort by the opposition has made inroads into BN’s territory. They showed us they were a team, fighting for a noble cause.
Today, the entire scenario has changed. The upcoming general election is about Dr Mahathir Mohamad versus Najib Abdul Razak and this will cost the opposition heavily.
Mahathir is well known for his hardheaded ego. By making him lead, the opposition will self-destruct. Every time Mahathir opens his mouth and campaigns, the opposition loses credibility. He is acting completely opposite to every principle in Pakatan Harapan’s book.
The only thing the opposition today harps about is Najib Abdul Razak alleged corruption. Azmin Ali, Lim Guan Eng, Mahathir, Mukhriz Mahathir, Muhyiddin Yassin, and many more in the opposition have an alleged taint of corruption on their halos too.
Moving away from corruption, on to racism, you see Mahathir. If you think about nepotism and cronyism, you see Mahathir. If you reflect about unfair detentions and trials, you see Mahathir. If you envision a biased judiciary, you see Mahathir.
The opposition spoke about equality but Mahathir today defends preferential treatment. The opposition was against the New Economic Policy (NEP) but Mahathir would enhance it.
The opposition refuted quotas, but Mahathir wants to maintain it. The opposition claims their parties are multiracial, but Mahathir wants Pribumi exclusive to only the Malays. The opposition wants leaders to be responsible and accountable, but Mahathir is, of course, exempted.
The opposition says Mahathir is sorry, but Mahathir only apologised for ‘possible’ wrongs and never admitted anything foul. The opposition wants a change in administration, but Mahathir is keen to maintain his lopsided policies.
To make matters worse, his progeny gets trapped in his own words and then runs to daddy for help. When your ex-aide calls you a liar and reveals the truth, you are in trouble.
BMI Research, an international research firm under Fitch Group, opined that the populist Harapan manifesto was unrealistic and would be detrimental to the country.
After all the hype, another effort falls flat. Mahathir would, of course, now say foreign companies and media should not comment on Malaysia, in his usual carousel roundabout manner.
It is perhaps a good lesson for newbies. Never entrust individuals who are trapped in their old ways to plot a new direction.
If Mahathir just remained an advisor to Harapan or even agreed to be a senior minister like Lee Kuan Yew, the game would have been different today.
While the opposition taught Mahathir would be a game-changer, they got checkmated. Just as a game of chess, politics is filled with traps. Never accept a gambit which you can’t predict.
