Do Mahathir A Favour: Ignore Him


By Tunku Abdul Aziz
in MySinChew

UMNO succeeded brilliantly in putting on a well-orchestrated monologue carnival on the universally fashionable twin-theme of change and reform at their just concluded annual political jamboree. They succeeded in the event of mesmerising themselves into a frenzy. Talking change is easy, but “walking the change” is when the uncommitted falls by the wayside.

By all accounts, UMNO, of all political parties in Malaysia, is a most unlikely candidate for change. It is stuck in a time warp. Its leadership, never known for its ability to focus on critical national issues and respond quickly to the needs of the moment, more often than not, has absolutely no clue where to begin the process.

Blaming the opposition for things that do not go according to plan is well and good, but it would be more helpful and constructive for UMNO to accept and digest a simple fact of life which stipulates that the external pressures acting on you are only as influential as your internal weaknesses. UMNO’s internal weaknesses are there for all to see, but it says a great deal about its organisational culture that the leaders remain both deaf and blind to the rot that stares them in the face. This being the case, UMNO continues to stumble from crisis to crisis, quite unaware why even the Malays who should be rallying round to support it are instead turning their backs on it.

UMNO is not ready to move forward. More baffling is why its leaders are making overtures to Mahathir to return and even act as “adviser.” It somehow suggests complete arrogance, totally muddled thinking and a disdain for Malaysian public opinion on their part. It is, I am convinced, a pathological streak that is part of the UMNO political tradition. We have had enough of Mahathir’s brand of “good governance” for twenty-two agonising, heart-rending, years that saw “Grand Corruption”, ( first coined by George Moody-Stuart and used as the title of his famous book on international corruption) being institutionalised in every important facet of our national life. By any yardstick, Mahathir’s tenure was twenty-two years too long. We need Mahathir as we need a tail between our legs.

For UMNO in particular, any attempt at open reconciliation with Mahathir, the ‘megalomeddler’, (a new word I have just invented to add further to the richness of English) will be the kiss of death. If, in the intoxicating afterglow of their 59th general assembly UMNO leaders were disposed to be generous towards Mahathir, and forgive him all his transgressions and sins against society, they need to have their heads examined.

Based on what we know about the man, Mahathir is happiest when he is also at his mischievous best. If there is no crisis, Mahathir will see to it that one is invented. He survived 22 years in office by playing on, and manipulating shamelessly, our fears of a recurrence of the May 13 incident which nearly tore this nation apart in 1969. It is a card that some UMNO types at good at pulling out of their pack when they feel threatened by challenges to “ketuanan Melayu.”

It is not in the man’s mental make up to give, as we have seen in his unremitting hostility to Abdullah Badawi, his anointed successor, a sporting chance to make a mark as prime minister. But, then, Mahathir was not a sportsman in the mould of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein or even Tun Hussein Onn. One of the central dogmas of Mahathirism and one espoused by the great man with unbounded passion is “winner takes all.”

He did not believe in taking prisoners. The battle field of his choice was the judicial arena where he held sway, and where crouching judges were falling over each other in an embarrassingly sycophantic display of eternal gratitude to their benefactor and where witnesses were “turned” at will to coerce them to cooperate. In one fell swoop, one of the most respected judicial institutions in the Commonwealth became an object of fun, ridicule and derision.

His maniacal urge to dominate everything and everyone in sight is a serious character flaw. To think that he will ever be a moderating influence and, therefore, an asset in the much-needed reinvention of UMNO to be in readiness for the 13th general elections is to believe in Grimm’s Fairy Tales of my childhood.

The nation is well-rid of the man. In God’s name, let him go his own meddling way and we, our own, free to determine our lives in accordance with the Constitution and the dictates of our conscience.

Admitting Mahathir back into UMNO’s inner sanctum will add to its problems, and internal unity will forever remain a gleam in the eye, and it will hasten the demise of UMNO, now already on its last legs. Perhaps I should just say nothing and let UMNO leaders find out for themselves the joy of having Mahathir under the same roof.

  1. #1 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 12:14 pm

    Hi Folks!

    Remember the old hat!

    He was the one who start all the famous privatization. PLUS has us paid to feed the cronies.

    He was the one who use ISA to the max to silent all political dissent who oppose his policies.

    He was the one who start the constitutional crisis and he was the one who withdraw the monarchy immunity.

    He was the one who sack Tun Salleh Abas and he was the one who crippled the judiciary independent.

    He was the one who cordon CORRUPTION. he was the one who cordon cronies system in his party and make NEP irrelevant and only benefits those in his party.

    Many praise him like god as seem he was the one who bring development to Malaysia. But think of it, many may be living in illusion and thinking that we have achieve great success under the hat hat. That the house that we lived in is big and beautiful, BUT have you ever think of the fact he was the one who has crippled three out of the four foundations that support our democratic system.

    Beware of his coming back. He was always forgetful the sin he committed and only remember what he claim his big success.

    Beware Folks. Lang Lai Lah!!! (The hokkien say the wolf is coming back)

  2. #2 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 12:14 pm

    I read somewhere that Najib had said Mahathir’s return will ‘rejuvenate’ the party. That struck me as odd, given his advanced years. Perhaps, all things being relative, his proximity will make the rest of UMNO appear young, open-minded and promising.

  3. #3 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 12:32 pm

    It was possible during this old hat time to build an illusion success economy around Malaysia not because of his greatness or genius mental but because of the world phenomenal, he has taking the great resources that our land inherit and turn to a materiality success but why again Tunku say he was the man who has commit sin against the Malaysia? That why the ordinary simple folks will not see.

    CORRUPTION! Has has simply put the blame on PM Lah !! but he was easily forgetful what system that he has help to built up over his 22 years in the “throne”. Yes he was in the “throne’ even we are democratic country simply under him he was the king and he was the Boss. He has not regards to the doctrine of separation of power, so it was only right to say he rule like a king even though he only wear western suit and not the ” WANG PAU” the Emperor suit like in ancient China.

    He was the one who has the great will to crippled the judiciary and Sack Tun Salleh Abbas not even blink his eye and sneeze his NIG EGO nose.

    We have to remember he was no different from any of the Corrupt emperor who rule with his iron fists.

    We have to remember he was the one who has let the culture of CORRUPTION run free and cultivate a futile land for CORRUPTION to growth with rapid speed.

    The worst sin was that he will never admit his sin not even until his grave yard.

    He has undone the democratic system in this land and it will not be an easy task to make amend.

    we have to remember until today they are people who praise him and even worship him as the greatest statesman in this land simply they have taste the gravy of corruption that was being practice by him.

    So beware! THE WOLF IS BACK IN ACTION. LANG LAI DE!!!!

  4. #4 by son of perpaduan on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 12:45 pm

    Only one reason why he rejoined the party, is to save his umno instituition not the country. During his tenure as PM, he make his people millionaire by inherit country debt to rakyat malaysia. I’ve said and said again, you will never see fair goverment unless they surrender some high post to other races.

  5. #5 by TTDI_KL on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 12:48 pm

    Thank you Tunku for the wonderful piece.

    Do you think the present UMNO leaders would not have known that Mahathir is a liability?

    Perhaps yes and perhaps no.

    Many present UMNO leaders have wished to return to the glorious days during Mahathir’s reign. But they forgot; Mahathir had presided Malaysia during the period even a donkey would have managed an 8% GDP growth. May be the present UMNO leaders are not that smart after all. They are longing to return to the good old days while at the same time talking about reforms and changes.

    To all Malaysians and UMNO members I just want to tell you this: Mahathir gave us nothing but sh!t the last 22 years. He destroyed the very sound foundation of this good country that we have all cherished and loved. Stop the bloody nostalgia and move on. Yes, his reign is 22 years too long.

    Please don’t take this as opposition rhetorics. Please let us get back to the basic of governing this country. Although highly unlikely and even day-dreaming, I wish for national reconciliation. I wish UMNO will be more inclusive and work with the opposition to do good for this country. We have every opportunity to become the Switzerland of Asia. We messed up big time and I blamed Mahathir for it, so please don’t prolong it.

  6. #6 by monsterball on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 1:39 pm

    Mahathir…a “megalomeddler.”…”grand corruption” band leader…if there is no crisis…….Mahathir will see to it.. one is invented…is back in UMNO as Adviser.
    First advise…release the 13 ISA detainees…as he did ..when he started as PM.
    Then apply Operation Lallang….arrest all to shut their mouths.
    Walking at Petaling Street…all welcoming him?
    Why not?? It will stop police raiding for selling imitation goods.
    Smart Chinese DAP die hard voters!!
    That’s the way to survive under present condition…smile be friendly…..never be afraid….and wait to vote for peace and harmony and prosperity ..for a Malaysian Malaysia….under PR.
    If we are destined to be poor…at least we can be poor…holding our heads high facing the world…we are truthful and smart…..valuing our rich cultures and reputations…and not keep being afraid with false hopes….created by UMNO.

  7. #7 by shamshul anuar on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 1:48 pm

    Dear Tunku Aziz,

    They say hatred can blind a person . And so goes the saying that hatred can destroy. An apt description that I can say after reading your comment.

    Whatever said about Dr Mahathir, certainly he did deliver during his tenure as Prime Minister. He scolded, chided but he is known to tell the truth. The truth that many find it hard to accept.

    He is certainly firm but of course not cruel as DAP or Uncle LIm tried very hard trying to depict. He called a spade a spade. He is not afraid to criticize Western Leaders for double standard. He was chided as having “knowledge on economy that can be written at the back of postage stamp” when he refused to follow destructive IMF plan.

    Malaysians ridiculed him but many in Thailand and Indonesia wished that their leaders have guts to follow what Dr Mahathir did.

    He was criticized of enriching cronies by none other than Anwar Ibrahim. But everybody changed their minds when lists shown during UMNO General Assembly shows that those close to Anwar are the most prominent beneficiaries.

    Of course, Dr Mahatir is not without fault. Who is perfect anyway. But at least he does not have the habit of putting his son as Menteri Besar or Vice President of UMNO, not like Uncle Lim.

    Dear TTDI, UMNO has been practising inclusiveness all these years. It stands by its principle. It insisted on putting an Indian at Ijok knowing so well that Anwar inciting Malays by saying choosing “masjid atau kuil”. It still put Dr Vasan in Pasir Panjang when PAS is busy sending leaflets saying that it is sinful to choose non Muslim as ADUN.

    It has the courtesy to allow Gerakan to have the post of Penang Chif Minister when any other party in its position would have no qualm in putting its candidate , being the party winning the largest number of seats.

    ‘I wish UMNO wil be more inclusive and work with the opposition to do good for this country”. I agree. But why dont you direct the message to Anwar. He refused to accept reality that in the last election, BN won. In other countries, winning 140 out of 222 is considered a landslide victory.

    Who went out saying to topple a legitimate govt. Who.? Did you ever hear then Pm, Tun abdullah saying he wanted to topple Kedah or Penang State Govt??

    Despite whatever you say on Dr Mahathir, I believe he did deliver. If not he would not be PM for 22 years.

  8. #8 by sotong on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:14 pm

    For our country to move forward successfully in this difficult time….it is best not to revisit his period of “leadership”.

    You cannot blame him alone…he was used by his party to achieve their narrow, divisive and damaging politics at the great expense of the country and her ordinary people.

  9. #9 by DAP man on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:20 pm

    I would say this is the best piece ever written, with such passion, by Tunku Aziz.
    No writer has penned such an essay , brief yet poignant, sharp and accurate description of the megalomaniac cum “megalomeddler”.

    The old man is back in UMNO to destroy what little is left of it. He will cause division within the party. A trouble maker will always be a trouble maker.

    He will dictate what Najib should do and ought not do. He will direct Najib to appoint the people picked by him, including his son, to the Cabinet. Little wonder Sharir Samad, who is among the most hated by the old man – resigned.

    Refusal on the part of Najib to follow his ‘advice’ will see this old goat demonizing Najib as he did to Abdullah. He will quit UMNO again, again to rejoin when the next PM come in.

    Look how he demonized Abdullah, yet the party accepted him as a redeemer.

    UMNO is overrating his influence. This old man ( I never mention him by name as I hate him like I hate Satan) is a liability.

    He indeed he was influential, thousand of party memebrs would have quit UMNO when he resigned. His son wouldn’t have lost the UMNO YOUTH elections.

  10. #10 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:24 pm

    work with the opposition
    I’ve been wondering recently exactly what status the Opposition parties have in Malaysia. In the UK the opposition is “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition”. I dimly recall the Agong’s speech thanking Badawi for his future departure seemed to suggest that the local Opposition is something one might wish a servant to scrape off one’s shoes.

    How close is the relationship between the Malaysian royalty and the Opposition? Any chance of working toward a closer, more ‘legitimate in the eyes of conservatives’ relationship with some royals? The occasional royal seems to stand up in public and say things that are not contradictory with your own message. I don’t know, you could ask some friendly royals to attend the launch of the your mysteriously-slow-in-coming Shadow Cabinet, or trade mutual congratulations at the revelation of your confusingly absent PR campaign website.

  11. #11 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:24 pm

    the only way to move forward is admit the wrongs and learn from the wrongs. If we do not condemn the wrongs and the sins he made as part of the history leaning and instead glorifying him or simply sweep under the carpet. This will spell dome to this land.

  12. #12 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:36 pm

    ‘dome’? I hate spell checkers sometimes. I noticed a ‘database connection’ error when I viewed this page just now. Was wondering about hosting something at slicehost myself. Would you recommend it?

  13. #13 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 2:51 pm

    it should be DOOM not dome!

  14. #14 by wanderer on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 3:02 pm

    This is as good a time as any for PR to dislodge the overused “OLD ENGINE” and throw it into the junkyard.
    Remember this same mamak who played the racist card to climb the political ladder by getting rid of Tuanku Abdul Rahman… who was replaced by Abdul Razak…thus, giving himself a chance to return to UMNO. He did the same to AAb and got Mongolian into the premiership. His obvious hidden agenda is to get his darling son to use the express lane into the higher hierarchy of UMNO elites…possibly claiming the top job in the country in the near future. The same episode was replayed. Do you still trust this old man…hav’nt we have enough of his dishonorable intentions…having only self interest to groom his sibling.
    Enough is enough of the mamak dynasty!

  15. #15 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 3:35 pm

    “(This) will bring a continuation of Umno’s solid traditional values that are based on a strong determination and will, cleanliness and the good track record of a person, This was what Rais Yatim say as quoted in The Star latest news.

    I could not believe in my eye though. But think of this how those bunch of robbers have in their bring back the old glory to steal and enrich themselves.

    AS i SAY BEFORE . Don’t be con be the show and the worst is coming and it coming fast as what you can see for yourself those people are saying NOW.

    LANG LAI DE! LAND LAI DE! AND this not a lies and IT WAS REAL folks!!!!

    When the LANG LAI DE. All those thieves are dancing and shouting in glory. BEWARE!! BEWARE!! NEVER BE CON AGAIN. you and me have been conned for the past 22 years. Am sure you are wiser NOW.

  16. #16 by StevePCH on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 3:45 pm

    a pirate would make a good captain when the ship is sinking !
    Welcome to RMS UMNO … converting to Scorpene class soon.
    He was deposed and rakyat trully doubted him. trully Tunku …. wellsaid , DR. M egalomeddler he is !

  17. #17 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 3:48 pm

    Ok yet to finish, please read the further quote this will bring you to madness & scare you shit off you pant.

    “His returning to Umno shows that (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) is using old services and finding new talents. The combination of the two is important,”

    Yes old service is still needed!!!

    Yes the GLORY of cronyism and the KING of privatisation is back!! CORRUPTION AND ISA is here to stay and forever!!!

    Do not hope too much on this land !!!

  18. #18 by ALLAN THAM on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 3:58 pm

    Just forgotten this Law Professor has just lost in the AGM. that why he is the first to sing praises now hoping retain his minister post at this financial crisis if not not University want him as lecturer. He was the one who ensure we lost or soil to the neighbor. so keep hold on the two old eggs other wise your rice bowl will be gone.

  19. #19 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 4:22 pm

    Even if Tun Dr Mahathir (TDM) were sidelined and outside UMNO, there is no indication that UMNO would reform or re-invent itself.

    If one were in the Opposition as Tunku Abdul Aziz is, and one believes that TDM “is happiest when he is also at his mischievous best”, then one should support the return of TDM to UMNO so that he could brew maximum mischievous troubles within UMNO.

    Tunku Abdul Aziz also describes TDM as having “a serious character flaw” in the form of a “maniacal urge to dominate everything and everyone in sight”.

    So what is the beef to those who are UMNO’s ill-wishers and detractors – like Tunku Abdul Aziz – to see this “serious character flaw” being foisted and inflicted upon its body politic, to infect and cause dissension amongst its leaders in time to come?

    Those that will benefit from an UMNO wrecked by internal confusion and dissension should rejoice and not complain about TDM returning to UMNO’s fold.

    At this moment the new administration needs TDM’s endorsement and patronage. In exchange TDM needs to have the king maker role. He has politics coursing in his veins and needs to partake in power for rejuvenation lest doing nothing in retirement and having no influence or power, direct or indirect, on the course of the nation’s destiny, he would lose the zest to live and be ushered to an early grave.

    TDM is by temperament someone he needs to have the final say and authority. He could do so when he was a PM but he is now no more and there is where he would rub the present crop of UMNO leaders, as they would equally rub him, in the time to come – in the wrong way! The Chinese have a saying there cannot exist two tigers on same hill struggling for mastery.

    Already he is confusing them when he suggested the Internal Security Act (ISA) should be used against corrupt Umno members when the latter were already annoyed with Pak Lah for introducing the MACC to provide additional brake against money politics.

    For all the things that TDM has done wrong for this country and generations to come, it is only right that before he joins his Maker, he first rejoins and returns to UMNO fold, and if he were accorded by present crop of leaders the power and influence (whether direct to indirect) in the direction of the country’s affairs (which we cannot prevent anyway), what’s the problem to us?

    I see two scenarios : either TDM will have the opportunity to rectify and mitigate some part of the wrongs that he has bequeathed and left as a legacy to this country or he would do the opposite, and by his propensity to excess, help make matters considerably worse for this country, which will only serve accelerate the earlier fall of the existing ruling coalition and structure together with him. This is accountability. Which so far he has escaped by remaining on side lines sipping comfortable tea and making comments via CheDet .com.

    As I said, bottomline, his absence and non involvement from centre of power does not translate to mean that things will improve within UMNO or BN. It will be just as bad.

    However his active presence/involvemet could either improve things (no matter how remote this prospect) or (the opposite) screw things up and accelerate the implosion of the ruling coalition, which is also OK (either way). :)

  20. #20 by lee wee tak_ on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 4:28 pm

    always wonder what’s the big fuss about Mahathir as “Bapa Permodenan”

    He is lucky because Malaysia discovered oil before he became PM. With that amount of oil money, he could develop Malaysia hardware wise with ease. Intellectually, he murdered us by suppression freedom of information and mental development via continuing with ISA and OSA, University Act, not tolerating dissenting view points.

    He looked good by making other people ill-informed, or doing away with bright people like Musa & ANwar. Look at who he picked as his successor.

    With that amount of oil money, it was no surprise that Malaysia had the biggest corn-like building, biggest flag pole, most under-utilised mega air port etc.

    The appalling poverty in Sabah and Sarawak only highlight the legacy of Mahathirism – wastage, unbalance allocation of resources and favouritism. The high way concessions are a malignant legacy that will harm the nations in the decades to come.

    No, Mahathir is not a great leader in my judgment. He is lucky with availability of oil money and prospered in a benevolent dictatorship environment where he was unchallenged.

  21. #21 by Onlooker Politics on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 4:41 pm

    Some people were simply giving Dr. Mahathir too much attention than what Dr. Mahathir really deserves. By bringing along his second son Mokhzani to join UMNO, Dr. Mahathir may give some misperception that his family members will be going to strengthen UMNO. The misperception could be the reason why Najib commented that Dr. Mahathir’s rejoining UMNO would rejuvenate UMNO.

    The defeat of the younger son of Dr. Mahathir, Mukhriz, by Khairy Jamaludin in the contest for the post of UMNO Youth Chief by end of March 2009 only proved that Dr. Mahathir’s political influence in UMNO had been diminishing after his more than 5 years’ leaving the mainstream power holding structure of the Federal Government of Malaysia. Will the rejoining into UMNO of Dr. Mahathir’s second son, Mokhzani, help to rejuvenate UMNO? I doubt so. Mokhzani is the elder brother of Mukhriz and Mokhzani may be in his age of 49 years now. How can Mokhzani be expected to rejuvenate UMNO when three years’ later, he would be disqualified to contest for any post of UMNO Youth due to over-age?

    The only family member (of Dr. Mahathir) who can be expected to seize some political power in UMNO based on her personal competence and capability in order to rejuvenate Mahathirism in UMNO may be the daughter of Dr. Mahathir, Marina. However, there is no sign indicating that Marina Mahathir will be interested to play an active role in the mainstream power holding structure of Malaysia.

    With Dr. Mahathir’s showing sign of senility by leaving no commendable successor from his family in Malaysian politics, Dr. Mahathir will gradually be seeing his subsidence into the oblivion of diminishing political influence. People will not just simply ignore him but people will tend to forget him — until his name is going to appear again on the headline of all mainstream newspapers in Malaysia!

  22. #22 by TTDI_KL on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 4:41 pm

    I think we should do a credit and debit on this great mamak. We have two columns, one credit (something he has done right or good) and debit (something he has done wrong or bad). We let this list run for a while to see his credits and debits. For too long he is left on the field to roam as if he is mega leader untouchable by anyone.

  23. #23 by Onlooker Politics on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 5:00 pm

    “How close is the relationship between the Malaysian royalty and the Opposition? Any chance of working toward a closer, more ‘legitimate in the eyes of conservatives’ relationship with some royals?” (OrangRojak)

    OrangRojak,
    It is not easy for the Opposition of Malaysia to get close to the Royal family. Most Royal subjects are the patrons of UMNO’s political goodies and candies at the merciful grace of the Menteri Besar or of the Prime Minister. In certain states which have financially poor State Government, Federal grants are the source of income for the Royal family. In other states where the rulers are already filthily rich, some rulers may still greedily ask for land grants from the Menteri Besar.

    It is not easy to find a Royal family member who can really be impartial and untouchable with the great temptation of the offer of material wellbeing from the UMNO controlled state government. Tunku Abdul Aziz is the odd one rare species among the lots of Royal family members!

  24. #24 by DAP man on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 5:51 pm

    “How close is the relationship between the Malaysian royalty and the Opposition?”

    To answer this question we must ask how many times have Opposition Leaders been invited to official functions in the palace? How many times were Opposition Leaders given royal awards?

    Live is cosy with UMNO in power. Why should they rock the boat?

  25. #25 by alberttye on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 6:22 pm

    Indeed, Umnoputras must have their heads examined when they still support Mahatail. Need not mention Umnoultras, who are IbrahimAli ( a new metaphor after the Pasir Mas MP).
    Look at what Mahatail did to Abdullah who is so kind not to return the snipe at Dr M.
    The way Dr M bullied the former PM makes me wonder if he is a Malay ?

  26. #26 by alberttye on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 6:25 pm

    Also, Can Mahathir absorb himself of responsibility in the saga of the beating up of Anwar Ibrahim by former IGP, Rahim Noor ?

    Shouldn’t the public pursue the matter on this cruel man ?

  27. #27 by ktteokt on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 7:03 pm

    Just let this silly old man who does not understand the meaning of “RETIREMENT” rejoin UMNO for the second time. After all, you think he is going to last long? Don’t forget his heart is on lease and due to expire ANYTIME! Let him enjoy his FINAL DAYS and see what he can do to Malaysia!

  28. #28 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 8:08 pm

    I couldn’t help but notice Marina Mahathir’s March 28 blog article on Wanita UMNO and their ‘6 thrusts’ for a Malaysian Race. It’s a marvellous read – amazing stuff, really. If they can achieve their goals in just 6 thrusts, that must be a great relief to their husbands.

  29. #29 by vsp on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 9:09 pm

    ‘He is certainly firm but of course not cruel as DAP or Uncle LIm tried very hard trying to depict.’ — shamshul annuar

    ——–

    The one who has ‘maha’ in his name has actually become the real Maharaja of this Bolehland. Unfortunately to say, this maharaja is very megalomaniac to the extreme. He is as cruel as Satan. To debunk Shamsul Annuar’s myth of Mahathir as a benevolent tyrant, let’s list the cruelties of this tyrant:

    1. He has set the chain of events that led to the May 13 tragedy. Many lost their lives from all races because of the ambition of a once proud Indian (while studying medicine in Singapore) who transformed himself into an ultra-racist of a Malay man.

    2. His demonizing of Tunku Abdul Rahman tore the fabric of the country. Once where Malays, Chinese, Indians and others coexisted peacefully he introduced hatred, jealousy and suspicion.

    3. He commits the greatest treachery to the monarchy by dragging the names of all 12 rulers through the mud just because he wanted to teach a lesson to one recalcitrant and delinquent ruler in Johore.

    4. He hijacked the NEP to help the super-rich and lazy UMNOputras. The poor are left to rot.

    5. His obsession to built useless megaprojects has bled the country of billions. The environment of the country was irreparably damaged in the process.

    6. He brought a bad name to the Malays. He has turned the Malays into an uncompetitive and parasitic race. He even chided those Malays who are independent in their achievements.

    7. He imprisoned many people under ISA without any iota of proof, thus causing untold miseries to their families.

    8. He caused Anwar Ibrahim to be beaten to a pulp and denied it.

    9. He destroyed the judiciary and caused injustice to many lives. Now justice is only a commodity available to the rich and cunning crooks.

    10. The worst part of his cruelty is that he denied all of them. He only admits one mistake – he choose the sleepy, incompetent Abdullah Badawi as the PM.

    There are still tons of cruelties that can be enumerated into an encyclopedia.

  30. #30 by sheriff singh on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 9:10 pm

    Remember this nursery rhyme (or is it a pantun?) from not so long ago?

    “This Old Man (adapted)

    This old man, he played one
    He played knick-knack with his thumb
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played two
    He played knick-knack with then number two
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played three
    He played knick-knack with Royalty
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played four
    He played knick-knack with floor number four
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played five
    He played knick-knack with the wife
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played six
    He played knick-knack with half-past-six
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played seven
    He’ll play knick-knack up in heaven
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played eight
    He played knick-knack in Lingamgate
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played nine
    He played knick-knack with Anwar’s spine
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man came rolling home

    This old man, he played ten
    He’s playing knick-knack once again
    With a knick-knack Dollah whack, give his dog a bone
    This old man now call UMNO home

    With no reference to any person still living or dead.

  31. #31 by anna brella on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 11:02 pm

    If I were in Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s shoes, I would just leave UMNO like a shot and start up my own political party and provide a good opportunity for other good Malaysian politicians now stuck inside BN somewhere new and progressive to go into politics.

    This action may even speed up the inevitable political annihilation of the present obsolete form of the thoroughly useless and tired UMNO lama/baru/lama.

    I wonder if TRH is up to that challenge. If he is, it would be great to watch him give that t**-finger salute to Dr M, now wouldn’t it?

    And in my view, Malaysia really needs three main multiracial political parties for good democratic governance. This could be the PR alliance, the BN coalition (until it self-destructs and is replaced with something else) and this new one of TRH’s to keep those first two in check, similar to the function now served by the Liberal Democrats in the UK.

    “Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.

  32. #32 by waterfrontcoolie on Sunday, 5 April 2009 - 11:36 pm

    Tungku, a well-placed piece. This man is machiavellian to the core; indeed born with it. His supporters would claim that he dared to entice the West ,especially the American President yet he bribed with cash to seek to see him. Here his pseudo character shows only those blinded cronies could not see such a flaw in the human nature.
    An honest and upright leader would never stoop to conquer after stating his principles which are bent and distorted to justify his immediate needs of the moment, to his convenience. My belief is if given a chance to play at the international scenario, he would grab it; truth is, the world had learned of his true character and had decided to avoid him. Th only platform left is UMNO. Only his supporters would keep on claiming that he is still espected in the internatinal arena. All we can see is some japanese fora where the same records would be played again and again.

  33. #33 by frankyapp on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 2:55 am

    Like I said guys,TDM is a cunning old man.Just look how quick he ,wife and son rejoined umno.Now tv one and bernama are giving him some prime air time to campaign to woe voters to back umno/bn candidates in the by election.I think we should not ignore him instead wherever and whatever is possible we have to discover as many of his previous ills to state and people,then uncover them all to the rakyat to judge .If and when the truth is uncover and justify,he will just walk away because he hasn’t the cheek to face us.

  34. #34 by Bigjoe on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 8:08 am

    The value of Dr. M at this juncture is not that he can pull votes but that he does not take away votes from UMNO. The truth is his nemesis Badawi would be better at pulling votes if he is given better speeches.

    Those who are Mahathir followers at this juncture are either ultras or purely self-interested. They don’t vote opposition. Without Mahathir giving them a reason to revolt, by default they vote BN. So telling to ignore Mahathir is futile.

    Having Mahathir back in the fold of UMNO is all the more reason to raise the stake on Najib. Now that he has no excuse that he need to consolidate his power, he has no excuse to spent his personal political capital within UMNO to make real changes. The excuse that he will lose power like Badawi is no longer and excuse. Make one mistake on reform and people are justified in attacking him as a Mahathirist and unfit to rule. As Sdr. Lim said, there is no honeymoon. He had his honeymoon without contesting for both DPM and PM post. He delivers now or get thrown out…

  35. #35 by taiking on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 10:30 am

    Want to know what desperate means?

  36. #36 by k1980 on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 11:43 am

    Do Mahathir A BETTER Favour: Send him back to India

  37. #37 by Godfather on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 12:06 pm

    “If they can achieve their goals in just 6 thrusts, that must be a great relief to their husbands.” OrangRojak

    Sorry, this blog is not a confessional.

  38. #38 by Godfather on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 12:10 pm

    Allah keeps Mamakthir alive for only one reason: so that he can see for himself the mess he has created in Bolehland.

    Mamakthir will be kept alive to see the day when Malaysian women have to compete with Filipinas and Indonesians as maids overseas.

    Mamakthir will be kept alive to see the day when the country’s pack of cards (which he helped build) crumble and we are downgraded to junk status by the rating agencies.

    Allah the Almightly will have His ways.

  39. #39 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 1:29 pm

    /// # k1980 Says:
    Today at 11: 43.02 (1 hour ago)
    Do Mahathir A BETTER Favour: Send him back to India ///

    k1980 – you better be prepared to let 1,166 million Indians curse you.

    ;)

  40. #40 by Jeffrey on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 2:23 pm

    They won’t curse. Peoples and nationals anywhere are normally filled with pride of their local boy made really good overseas. We Malaysians too: aren’t we of Michelle Yeo or Jimmy Choo?? :)

  41. #41 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 2:38 pm

    Maybe not for his “successes” in his adopted country.
    But for betraying his Indian roots and styling himself as a Malay.

    ;)

  42. #42 by OrangRojak on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 3:30 pm

    I’m not convinced repatriation on the basis of distant ancestry is a good idea, particularly in Malaysia. Particularly on LKS blog.

    Call me selfish, I think I’d be the first to go. I doubt the other white man in Port Dickson would even notice.

  43. #43 by ekans on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 3:53 pm

    UMNO’s current leadership has admitted that it needs to ‘reinvent’ or ‘reform’ its party.

    But then, it allows this person to rejoin the party; the very person who is the major reason why the party needs to be ‘reinvented’ or ‘reformed’ in the first place…

  44. #44 by anna brella on Monday, 6 April 2009 - 9:55 pm

    k1980:

    You say “Do Mahathir A BETTER Favour: Send him back to India”

    Why, and how?

    Isn’t Mahathir a Malaysian citizen and not an Indian citizen, so how is anyone going to “send him back to India”?

    And why should the sovereign nation of India bother to deal with Malaysia’s self-created problems, when Malaysia is well capable of handling her own problems within the rule of law underlying her own democratic structure?

    “Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.

  45. #45 by ekans on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 12:23 am

    When he was in office, this doctor started up the local car manufacturing industry and expected us people to support it.
    When he retired from office, it was reported in the news that he started going on leisure drives in his Porsche Cayenne (registration number plate MM2, if I’m not mistaken), which obviously supports something else other than the local car manufacturing industry.
    With such a show of his credibility, don’t just do him favour; we should also do ourselves a favour by ignoring him…

  46. #46 by ktteokt on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 - 9:40 pm

    The day the first Proton Saga rolled out of the production line, there were people who clapped their hands until they were red and sore. But for me, I asked everyone a simple question, “Can you show me a MADE IN MALAYSIA BICYCLE?” We don’t even have the capability to produce a local bicycle, where the hell do we have the technology to build cars?

    All we have done was take over some “rejected” model from Mitsubishi and made Malaysia “a dumping ground” for these “garbage”!

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