Pied piper of Malaysia still doing it his way

There used to be a news parody segment called Weekend Update on long-time US sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. And in that segment occasionally, there will be a round up of almost unbelievable or ridiculous actual news items for which the host ends each report with a sarcastic, “Really!?!”

Last Friday, watching the collection of politicians, social activists and NGO leaders sitting together on the same table for an event dubbed “Save Malaysia” and for the purpose of making a “Citizen’s Declaration”, led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the only word repeating in my head, was that same “Really!?!”

I say “repeating” because as the camera panned down the table, I saw someone new whom I had least expected to be in the same room, let alone table, with the ex-Umno president and his two preferred Umno leaders – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

I believe it was the same for thousands of other Malaysians, especially those who have been following the political shenanigans in this country over the past 20-plus years. Some may even have had a stronger word or two to express in disgust over that historic gathering.

I used to believe that Dr Mahathir, who ruled with an iron fist for 22 years, could easily rally his Umno minions and even party veterans because he had that much power as the prime minister, besides being the party president.

Then, when he continued to exert his influence, and ultimately forced the “overthrow” of his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as PM and party president, I sensed, as most did, the deep-rooted nature of Dr Mahathir to do things his way even when he had no legitimate power to do so. He seriously has some issues over “letting go”.

So, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was crowned PM in 2009. I say “crowned” because, that is what the premiership of the country came down to, being appointed to the throne by one who considered himself (and presumably, still does) a “ruler for life”.

Dr Mahathir had also reportedly said, soon after his frustrations with Abdullah came to a boil, that Najib was the original choice to replace him in 2003, but needed a bit more experience, hence Abdullah was chosen, and supposedly for one term only. No political party, let alone country, should come down to that process of selection for the person who will ultimately head the government.

So having witnessed the events of 2009, and all that Dr Mahathir had done to prop up Najib, it was almost unbelievable that so many opposition party leaders, heads of respected NGOs, as well as veteran social activists could be led by this “pied piper” on what could only be seen as a self-serving journey.

One has to consider the likely reason for this man to want some influence over the political succession in the country, because it needs to ultimately suit his family.

That is why, despite him leaving Umno again, neither his son Mukhriz nor Muhyiddin, would do likewise. It was the same in 2008, when Dr Mahathir left the party the first time. Mukhriz, who was then the Umno Youth deputy chief, did not leave too.

What gives? Simply, losing seniority and party positions would not help the cause.

Like me, others against this “unregistered marriage”, as a friend on Facebook called it, have rightly said it is not about “forgiveness”,  “moving forward” or even that one agenda, to force Najib to step down (or hasten his removal).

For one, it is about the scales covering the eyes of this group of people, who seemed to have forgotten about the democracy and democratic process that they so strongly espoused all these years.

If there is one thing Dr Mahathir has been  known for, and previously condemned for by many of those in his company last Friday, it is the systematic breakdown of democracy in the country, and the end  to independent institutions that were meant to act as a check and balance against the government.

The Citizen’s Declaration stated some “institutional reform” issues, but there are no guarantees over what happens next should the prime objective – removing Najib – be achieved.

As much as Dr Mahathir, his son Mukhriz and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin say Barisan Nasional (BN) must continue to rule the country, we know they mean Umno, with all its party mechanisms and sycophantism still in place.

The thing is, the former PM has been repeatedly saying for almost a year that he does not want to bring down Umno/BN, and just wants Najib to resign or be removed, thus indicating he just wants another protege or puppet in charge. Yet, all those who claim to act as individuals, but will still be seen in the colours of their party/organisation regardless, turned up for this man who had lost support from among his own (former) party and community.

How can one man, who has made many mistakes during his tenure as PM, and even after, still get the confidence of so many wise and experienced politicians, NGO heads and learned activists is beyond me.

As much as I too want truth and transparency in government, aside from press freedom and an end to the Sedition Act (among other restrictive laws), I also want a real change from the status quo of cronyism, party warlords and policy flip-flops.

A desperate man pulling out all stops, due to the removal of his two most powerful allies – a former menteri besar and a former deputy PM – should not be leading such a change.

Like Penang and Selangor have proven, such change can happen and will happen. The opposition politicians should have more belief in themselves and convince the voters to make that change, instead of trying to take a shortcut that could very well backfire. – March 7, 2016.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.