Many Malaysians must have very mixed thoughts about Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s appearance at the Bukit Gantang by-election hustings this morning and in particular at the 90-minute live telecast by TV1 of the entire event.
The first thought is that the Najib premiership has made no real difference with the continued unchecked and blatant abuse of government power and resources for Umno and Barisan Nasional purposes, the shocking lack of integrity in the inability of those in power to make the important distinctions among government, party and self which is the root cause of rampant corruption and abuses of power in a government dominated by Umno hegemony.
How can a government channel, TV1, give a live telecast to what is clearly a by-election campaigning by Umno/Barisan Nasional? TV1 is no different from RTM1, what it was known previously, which I had described as Radio/Television Mahathir in the 22-year Mahathir administration.
However, what must have occurred to many who happened to watch the live telecast was that they were not just watching Mahathir campaigning for Umno/BN in Bukit Gantang by-election after rejoining Umno, but a “coronation” of Mahathir as the eminence grise in the Najib premiership and the formal burial of the Abdullah legacy in Umno and Barisan Nasional!
These events happened quickly within 10 days of Najib taking over as the Umno President from Abdullah.
In his farewell winding-up speech as Umno President on the last day of the recent Umno General Assembly, Abdullah announced that he will see the Yang di Pertuan Agong to submit his resignation as Prime Minister.
On the 5th day, Abdullah had his last Cabinet meeting.
On the 6th day, Abdullah submitted his resignation as Prime Minister to the Yang di Pertuan Agong.
On the 7th day, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was sworn in as the sixth Prime Minister.
On the 8th day, Najib had a two-hour meeting with Mahathir who rejoined Umno.
On the 10th day this morning, Mahathir was “crowned” as the eminence grise of the Najib premiership, marking the return of both Mahathir and Mahathirism, with the former Prime Minister taking his position as the most powerful adviser and decision-maker who operates unofficially!
This morning’s event at Simpang in Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency also marks the formal burial of whatever there is left of the Abdullah legacy in Umno and Barisan Nasional!
This was why Mahathir’s “coronation” as the eminence grise of the Najib premiership was given such importance, not only telecast live for 90 minutes, but attended by heavy-weight Cabinet Ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister-in-waiting, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Najib’s right-hand man, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who scored the highest votes as Umno Vice President in the recent Umno party elections.
With Zahid standing next to Mahathir on the stage throughout Mahathir’s speech, leading the applause and clappings, who would have believed that it was none other than Zahid who had led the revolt against Mahathir a decade ago in the June 1998 Umno Youth General Assembly where Zahid used his position as Umno Youth leader to denounce Mahathir for KKN – corruption, cronyism and nepotism.
This shook up Mahathir as the KKN slogan had caused the downfall of President Suharto of Indonesia and the emergence of Indonesia reformasi.
Zahid’s denunciation of KKN was seen as an attempt to use the slogan to trigger the toppling of Mahathir as Prime Minister – which led to the sacking from office and persecution of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the kangaroo trials and subsequent incarceration in Sungei Buloh Prison.
Zahid was detained for a week under the Internal Security Act but was completely “turned over” to become today one of the high priests for the return of Mahathirism in Malaysian government and politics.
Sad and pathetic that the Abdullah memory and legacy have been so summarily kicked aside for the “coronation” marking the triumphant return of Mahathir and Mahathirism in ten days of Najib premiership.
#1 by sotong on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 6:43 am
Let him speak but not write………the last time he wrote a book, he was made PM.
#2 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 6:44 am
Beware of the real eminence grise who wields power secretly behind the throne without publicity of being “crowned”. :)
#3 by sotong on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 7:07 am
This guy, many others like him, is a big risk taker…….in good time is OK but in current global crisis and recession, our country and her ordinary people will pay a heavy price for bad decisions and mistakes….with the same mistakes made in the past, or half of it, we will not survive.
#4 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 7:32 am
In general an ‘eminence grise’ (EG) to a leader (L) is (by definition) always behind the scenes. EG either has complete confidence and trust of L, nurtured over the years or has something to hold over L for the latter to do EG’s bidding.
An EG must know L’s strength and weakness intimately.
EG plots rise of L’s political career. It does not comprise of just giving L correct advice – and direction – of what to do at crucial moment when everything hangs on the balance.
It includes conceiving deals and secret plots to displace those on top and neutralising threats of rivals either at same level or below in relation to L’s position.
EG must have this uncanny ability to sum up, respond and capitalise on changes in situation and equation as they affect L, and advise and influence correctly L on what next to do in the face of every challenge that unfolds, and how to anticipate, pre-empt and remove every conceivable obstacle or threat along the way impeding the progress of L’s climb to the top, well ahead before that obstacle and threat actually crystalises….
Most important, EG is always low profile, plotting and counselling (cajoling, sometimes even arm twisting) L mostly behind the scenes, wielding tremendous power by ability to influence on L’s decisions and course of actions.
And yet EG neither holds any formal or official position nor can EG take credit for L’s achievements or account for any wrong missteps of L!
Any benefit to which EG is entitled for playing such a crucial role to promote L’s career and ascendency is always private (a kind of accounts settled) between EG and L only to which L’s other closest associates are not privy and have no details of.
An EG is better low profile confidante than publicly identified & crowned.
Otherwise two things can happen: (1) rivals may target and neutralise EG to bring L down or (2) flatterers, collaborators and patrons will seek out and deal direct with EG, undercutting authority and influence of L and hence driving a wedge in the otherwise relationship of trust and confidence subsisting and which must subsist between EG and L.
So who is real EG???? Sometimes a person playing EG role may also have others playing an EG role to him or her.
#5 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 8:08 am
The imminent demise of eminence grise…
But then again, this would be a liberation, a remission of sentence as speculated by Godfather below.
/// Godfather Says:
Yesterday at 22: 30.52
cintanegara and eunuch chengho: Do you know why Allah keeps Mamakthir alive for so long ? So that the old Mamakthir can see with his own eyes the mess he has created for Bolehland. ///
#6 by monsterball on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 8:29 am
Computation….Did you read about Emperors have 1000 concubines … wine …women and song are all that they know?
How did they get the energy and strength.?
Magic word…strengthen the blood system…ying yang…metabolism.
Old rich buggers can do that in modern days by consuming very every expensive herbs costing thousands of Ringgit everyday!
Do you know….all excellent medicine are made from pure herbs…..flowers and plants…roots….certain bird saliva…lizards..cockroaches?
You maybe confused by the discovery of penicillin..that save millions of people everyday.
Middle class now knows..antibiotics saves all.
But we are saying..how to live much longer…and that Computations…is what the devil is consuming everyday….which with all his savings on accumulated income…..not possible. Must have hundreds of millions….spend like no body business……….to live…cannot enjoy……..cannot eat normal food.
Once he stops…..he is dead.
That’s a zombie.
#7 by yhsiew on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 8:30 am
I wonder who is the PM now, Tun M or Najis?
#8 by ktteokt on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 8:40 am
The return of the TROUBLE-MAKER!
#9 by wesuffer on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 8:49 am
this old man, quit party but no one MP to follow him quit.
son also lose in umno election.
now want to act like most powerful man ?
he skin thicker than rhino skin
#10 by ctc537 on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 9:04 am
yhsiew Says:
I wonder who is the PM now, Tun M or Najis?
It’ only a matter of time before TDM showing his true colours for all to see.
#11 by taiking on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 9:20 am
The union of mahathir, najib, muyidin and zahid is uneasy one. The cowboy from the wild wild west shoots from the waist and fires in all directions.
#12 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 9:45 am
The truth is Dr.M cannot win new votes. His main contribution is that he does not divide UMNO. If you listen to his speech, he offers nothing to those looking for change and moving forward.
In that sense, Dr. M is dangerous because its about resistance to change – the wanting for old ways that worked for them and thoses who want their turn to feed off the old ways. That is a powerful sentiment with many. The truth is most people are afraid of change and adapting to change is painful for everyone.
He may represent the past but the past is a powerful thing with Malaysian. It can’t go far but it will drag all of us down until those who want it realise the weight is just not worth carrying and are willing to cast it aside.
#13 by penang308 on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 11:48 am
Why Mahathir comes back at the age of 84?
Shouldn’t he be spending his time with his grandchildren and enjoy his “long deserving PEACEFUL life”?
There must be something in his MIND that he cannot “LET GO” of!
The only thing I can think of (in his mind) is the word “FEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR”, that’s right “FEAR”!
With all the “WEALTH” he have, what is there to “FEAR” of?
The answer is:
(1) DS ANWAR IBRAHIM – for what he has done to him and ;
(2) his Son (“Mukhriz) – Mahathir has to come back to help his son to win back the support of UMNO’s old guard for his son, he his worry that KJ might take the opportunity to finish off his son since Mukhriz now don’t hold any position in the youth wing.
What a selfish person Mahathir is!
#14 by computation on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 11:55 am
monsterball
i finally understand what you mean after your long
explanation. heh heh heh
:D
#15 by ctc537 on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 2:43 pm
Despite of what has been written by all, all Malaysians irrespective of race (I believe) would like to see a changed TDM using the remaining years of his life to right the wrongs in our country – racist politics, Bumi-non-Bumi divide, unequal treatment of the races, etc, etc…. We also would like to see a changed Najib, a changed KJ, so that all the people can look forward to a bright future. The changed and ultra rational DSAI and the ever rational LKS, LGE, etc, may not be enough to steer our country out of troubles.
#16 by frankyapp on Wednesday, 8 April 2009 - 2:47 am
Ctc537,I wish to agree with your good intented suggestion but I am afraid it would not work as old and bad habits die hard especially the kind of ruthless habits these unmo leaders have incurred in their heads..
#17 by Kabiran on Sunday, 21 June 2009 - 10:45 pm
People who went to schools in the 5os, 60s and early 70s will realise that education was joy with minimal racial intereference and then came this monster of racial discrimination in every sphere of life resulting in true Polarisation. ONE CAN BOAST OF ALMOST ZERO CORRUPTION THEN. 95% Chinese kids went to Chinese schools…speak poor Malay and very poor English including our Chinese Ministers. The Malay children underwent many filteration process to be selected to redidential school AND SEGREGATED FROM AMINSTREAM SOCIIETY and graduated schools with poor spoken English and more Indian children are now opting for Tamil schools because there is discrimination and marginalisation in the National schools. Mahathir has successfully compartmentalised our country and all his stupid slogans of vision 2020. Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan were all rubbish. Over the years corruption has become rampant and entrenched as a parallel civil service. The Police which was then a mix of all races has become a predominantly Malays employment agency and today we have these Uniformed thugs who have even beateN up a DPM, what is the fate of the common man in their hands.
Upon graduation from schools the Chinese kid learns to interact ONLY with his own kind for he cannot speak any other language, the Malay become more ultra religious and does some work and many go wayward, the Indian child many of who have no IC is discriminated in government service and discriminately paid in private companies end up taking part time thieving to supplement his income.
FOR 22 YEARS MAHATHIR WHO WAS JUST A DOCTOR BEFORE, UNTIL HE ENTERED POLITICS SUDDENLY BECAME A VISIONARY, STATESMAN, LEADER, TECHNOCRAT ETC BUT COULD NOT NURTURE THE COMMUNITY INTO ONE NATION WHICH TO A LARGE EXTENT WAS ALREADY THERE AFTER INDEPENDANCE IN 1957. MANY WOULD LIKE TO CALL HIM BAPA RASUAH OR BAPA PEMUSNAH.