What’s behind Mahathir’s sacking and Malaysia’s new political drama
In one of the biggest ironies of Malaysian politics at this moment, the biggest winner in this conflict is Najib Razak.
James Chin, CNA
Mahathir Mohammad and four of his key supporters were sacked from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) on Thursday (May 28), in what commentators have described as a power move by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to consolidate power.
To understand this increasing bitter spat, one must go back to late February when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which Mahathir led, imploded.
Mahathir refused to go along with the majority in Bersatu, led by Muhyiddin Yassin, to form a new government without the Democratic Action Party and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Mahathir then resigned as Bersatu chairman and prime minister. He pitched the idea of an inclusive, “unity” government – but that concept was rejected by all sides.
Within 24 hours of that proposal, Muhyiddin’s faction in Bersatu stitched up a deal with UMNO and PAS, with promise of parliamentary support from GPS, the ruling coalition in Sarawak.
This was enough for the King to use his discretion to appoint Muhyiddin as the new prime minister in March.
Since then, Mahathir has been trying to pull down Muhyiddin and regain power.
During the special one-day parliamentary sitting on May 18, Mahathir had tried to move a motion calling for his reinstatement as Prime Minister and after failing to do so, attempted to table another of no-confidence in Muhyiddin.
Inside Bersatu, Mahathir is also vying to expel Muhyiddin. Mukhriz Mahathir, his son and political heir, has filed papers to challenge Muhyiddin for Bersatu’s presidency at the upcoming party congress.
As a consequence of this move, Mukhriz subsequently lost his position as Kedah’s chief minister two weeks ago, after two PKR assemblymen defected.
Mahathir claims he is still Bersatu chairman because his February resignation was not accepted by the party. Moreover, in the upcoming Bersatu party elections, he is the only candidate for the position of chairman of the party.
Unlike other parties, executive power in Bersatu is shared between the party chairman and the party president.
This confusion has created space for political contestation. Mahathir, still supposedly Bersatu’s chairman, is trying to depose the party president.
All that has been solved. By sacking Mahathir as a party member, Muhyiddin becomes acting party chairman while still party president, effectively rendering himself untouchable.
But this drastic action also means any chance of Muhyiddin and Mahathir reconciling politically is close to zero, something supporters of both camps wanted.
MAHATHIR’S OPTIONS
Believe it or not, the sacking is not a knock-out for Mahathir. Mahathir has options.
