— Jose Rizal The Malaysian Insider Aug 20, 2011
AUG 20 — I have to say this about Malaysians: We are very patient and tolerant and forgiving.
But I do believe that even our legendary patience is at breaking point with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, one time prime minister of all Malaysians but now prime minister of who threatens most.
I give up because I cannot figure what he stands for anymore. One week he talks about economic reforms and opening up the country, and the next week he returns to the safe embrace of the New Economic Policy; and yet one week later, he goes silent when right wing elements assail his policies.
I have been reading The Malaysian Insider and there seems to be some the suggestion that hardliners like Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are pushing Najib towards more right wing, Malay-first policies. I am sorry but this is absolute rubbish.
I believe we have a weak PM who, depending on who shouts loudest and threatens most, goes with that flow.
That is why we have rudderless policy making and seem to be drifting. You know why it seems that we are constantly at odds with each other, fighting over race and religious space, etc.
Because there is hardly any leadership. When the likes of Datuk Ibrahim Ali attacks and offends the sensibilities of most Malaysians, there is silence from Najib.
And this PM also shares the table with Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, Ezam Nor and Datuk Zahrain Hashim, not the most credible of characters. He is not being forced to mix with them but he chooses to. Just like he was not forced to sanction the power grab in Perak but he chose to.
So please, please don’t expect me to believe that Muhyiddin, Hishammuddin and Ibrahim Ali are forcing Najib to go where he doesn’t want to go.
He just is weak. And we Malaysians have been tolerating weak since Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.