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Wednesday, September 16, 2020

The three 'traitors'

Malaysiakini:

The three 'traitors'

by P Gunasegaram


Take a good look at the three in the photo above - you know all of them. But let not time dim the great travesty that all three of them committed against the rakyat, becoming traitors to the collective will of Malaysians when they lied, cheated, and broke promises to engineer the downfall of a democratically elected government.

On May 9, 2018, a despicable decadent dictatorship headed by Najib Abdul Razak, the son of the second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, was overthrown by a motley coalition, Pakatan Harapan, whose leaders inexplicably and unaccountably allowed a previous despot and the master of patronage politics to become interim prime minister.

It was an incredibly bad decision by all in the core coalition of PKR, DAP and Amanah to not only admit Bersatu - a racist party, headed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad - but to allow him to become PM.

When Umno’s 61-year iron grip on the country, which progressively descended into corruption and decline from 1981 onwards after Mahathir became PM, was decisively broken, it was correctly heralded as a victory against authoritarianism, increasing corruption, total disregard of the rule of law, and the breakdown of transparency, accountability, and good governance. But the victory lay in shambles just 22 months later.

The first villain in this sorry episode in the nation’s history is, of course, Mahathir, now ex-prime minister for the second time. But coming close behind him are Muhyiddin Yassin, now prime minister and Azmin Ali, now senior minister. If any one of them had not betrayed the rakyat, we would not have the current explosive political situation in the country.

Even as Sabah goes to the polls and as national polls may be held soon, but more likely later given the shaky position of Perikatan Nasional, or PN, as clearly demonstrated by the Sabah fight over seat allocations, Malaysians of all races must forever remember the role the three traitors played in thwarting their genuine aspirations for a better, more inclusive country.


They said they were doing it for Malay unity, but they were doing it for themselves - to protect their own interests and their own cronies. They turned back the wheels on fighting corruption and cutting patronage and promptly went back to the old ways, in the process betraying all Malaysians, including the Malay race who they claim to be protecting.

One of the enduring myths as far as this change is concerned is that it is what the Malays wanted. That’s wrong. Some two-thirds of Malays voted for the opposition in GE14, PAS was in the opposition then. It’s simplistic to assume that PAS will now keep its same support level of roughly a third given their alliance, or should we say dalliance, with Umno. And who’s to say the support for Umno, already down to about a third from just over half in 2013, won’t decline further?

The truth is that this change was not because that is what the Malays wanted but what corrupt unprincipled Malay leaders wanted. They, including many “frogs” among them, conspired to bring this about through dubious alliances for their own good, not for the people they purport to represent.

Back to the traitors, starting with Mahathir.

Mahathir Mohamad

There is one over-riding reason why the ousted Harapan government did not perform as well as expected. That was the ineffectual leadership - perhaps even deliberate - of Mahathir. He stalled with reforms needed which would have strengthened governance, cut corruption, and put institutions back on a solid footing.


Instead, he said Harapan did not expect to win and therefore manifesto promises could not be kept or honoured. He sowed the seeds of dissension through Harapan by offering Lim Guan Eng the finance minister’s position without consultation with other parties, thereby earning the undying gratitude of DAP.

He drove a wedge between Azmin and PKR head and Harapan de facto head, Anwar Ibrahim, by bringing him into the cabinet while excluding Anwar and not so surreptitiously positioning him as Anwar’s alternative. He under-represented PKR in the cabinet while favouring Amanah, pushing Amanah and PKR apart.

There is a long litany of complaints against Mahathir, including the Sheraton Move. This article provides 22. In summary, if Mahathir had been a more effective prime minister and stuck to fulfilling manifesto promises, including passing the baton to Anwar, the Harapan government would not have fallen.

Muhyiddin Yassin

Right now, how much Mahathir was complicit in Muhyiddin becoming PM is a matter of conjecture, but anyone who follows Mahathir will know that he would prefer this arrangement of Malays having near-absolute power in government instead of genuine power-sharing for the benefit of all. But both the two Ms are of the “ketuanan Melayu” mould not because that’s the best for Malays but for the Malay political and business elite.


The first thing that Muhyiddin did was to muster support for himself by offering lucrative posts to nearly all MPs. He even postponed the convening of Parliament to reduce the chances of him losing parliamentary majority. You can read more about it here.

His Covid-19 plan, while praised widely, did not do enough for the poor, most of whom are Malays and other bumiputeras, leaving them in limbo. Part of the reason - he did not have the guts to make a pact with the opposition and go to Parliament for more funds to be given to the poor as explained here. He is an opportunist, not a saviour of the Malays.

If he did not pull Bersatu out of Harapan, the Harapan government would still be in power.

Azmin Ali

This one-time staunch ally of Anwar used the excuse that the PKR leader was not supportive of him when allegations of a homosexual relationship were made. But that was a convenient event for him to distance himself from Anwar and further his own “career”. That seems to be in jeopardy as Umno is now deeply suspicious of him given his past record and is envious of his rapid rise.


I remember him eloquently and emotionally singing Anwar’s praises at an election rally in Gombak in 2013 but in politics, words count for little and one should choose allies by the strength of their actions.

If he had not taken his 10 or so MPs out of PKR, Harapan would have survived as the government.

Going forward into GE15, we Malaysians must continuously remind ourselves of such traitors, what they did to us, and how they derailed our legitimate expectations for a better country for all of us, setting the country back for years if not decades. They deserve no forgiveness.

Remember too that there are extensions of them - such as the former boy minister, Mahathir’s protege, who is now touring Sabah ostensibly to support Warisan. In future coalitions that the current opposition makes, it is vitally important to choose your partners and new entrants carefully.

Remember too that Mahathir’s Malay-only Pejuang and his boy protege’s soon-to-be-launched multi-racial party for all youth will be looking for partners to team up with to become kings or at the very least kingmakers.

This time reject them firmly and you will have a better chance of staying in power - if you win that is, no easy task. Let not the fish jump out of the net again after it is caught.


P GUNASEGARAM likes this quote attributed to Francois de La Rochefoucauld: “We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that in the end, we become disguised to ourselves.” That explains why politicians fool themselves all the time


23 comments:

  1. As long as Traitor 1 lawan Traitor 2 lawan Traitor 3, masing-masing mahu jadi Ketua Kampung Melayu, macam Capt Thaya Pandai punya Circular Firing Squad, saya happy happy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are mistaken.
    They are Race and Religion warrior heroes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow when did a prime minister appointed by Yang Di Pertuan Agong becomes a dictator?
    Really thus DAP think by insulting Yang Di Pertuan Agong, insulting the voter is PRU 12 and 13 whom did not vote DAP by calling a democratic elected MP voted by voter in GE as dictator.

    You really want to push the thin red line just like during the communist insurgent whom did not support the communist are killed and the legitimate government aren't legitimate.
    Dear Sir becareful of what you wish for, it look like you yang war mongering creating hate towards the Malay and Islam again and again.

    We are not a communist Nation nor a dictator nation, we are a nation that conduct free general election every 5 years.
    From the GE a candidate MP whom in the view of Yang Di Pertuan Agong control the majority support of the MP are elected as the Prime Minister. He then select his members of cabinet.

    By insulting Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong whom have selected Najib as Prime Minister and insulting voters in Pekan and in each Parliament seats that BN won during Najib duration as Prime Minister as those whom appointed dictator is a Parti Komunis Malaya standard operating style to justified killings, burning and plundes.
    Are you stating that Yang Di Pertuan Agong created a Dictator? Or Are you blaming voters for voting other than DAP/PH?.

    Do you know Malaysia is A Democratic Nation with The head of Malaysia is Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong not the Prime Minister?

    Stop using Parti Komunis Malaya SOP in your politic war mongering. History have shown how PKM war mongering ended with killing of Malay, Chines, India and others race in Malaya and Malaysia just because the majority don't support PKM.

    Why DAP is using PKM method? This is a democratic Nation yet Malaysia have laws and Malay have feelings.
    Do you think you can do what PKM did in Pagoh or Bukit Kepong or Perak towards the Malay and we just site back and smile?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you confuse “traitor” with “dictator”?

      Delete
    2. Bravo, a grade A product of btn.

      Pendita Zaaba wouldn't be able to turn in his grave if he ever be able to read what u have written!

      That misguided ketuanan mentality must have deeply rooted in yr nurturing phase!

      Delete
    3. i think u comment on the wrong thread or wrong blog, fast fast go see eyes doctor.

      Delete
    4. Descendents of ungrateful immigrants should be returned to the homeland of their forefathers,and reclaim their befitting 'bumiputra' status.

      Delete
    5. 1st defined yr understanding of ungrateful.

      Then maybe u SHOULD be returned to the homeland of yr forefathers, and reclaim that befitting 'bumiputra' status.

      Delete
  4. Selamat Hari Penubuhan Persekutuan Malaysia buat semua rakyat Malaysia.

    Terus menerus menebar fitnah dan menghasut saja kerja si KTemoc nih. Tidakkah dia tahu hari ini Hari Malaysia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hari msia yg pertama sekali under a malay govt, let cheers.

      Delete
    2. Wow!!!

      From a promoter of don't-spook-the-melayu-sensitivities dickhead!

      Delete
  5. I believe most Chinese in Malaysia can fully understand and accept the concerns and needs of the Race and Religion warriors in Malaysia.

    After all, most Malaysian Chinese are fully sympathetic and supportive towards Race and Religion warriors in CCP.

    Mainly, The Han Race and the CCP Conmie Religion, and the way they deny minority cultural and vernacular language rights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Old moneyed mfer, selling yr don't-spook-the-melayu-sensitivities fart AGAIN?

      Old stories lah. Just like that previous btn warrior farting about with a different tune but same theme!

      Delete
    2. he meant dun spook the ccp han chinese.

      Delete
    3. R u in bed with this old moneyed mfer to know what he is thinking?

      Delete
  6. i think anwar hv to earn it, not waiting for someone to pass him the baton. i still dun understand y he pick fight with azmin.

    ReplyDelete
  7. a digression, kt, is there anything in penang that worth a visit besides all the hot spot, some gem less touristy, more on the historical n cultural n perhaps nature? cuti citi malaysia is getting more n more repetitive, like conman rhetoric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. for nature, a hike up Bkt Bendera will be great. Historical, visit the Heart of Georgetown eg. Armenian St, Chulia St, Cecil St, Jln Gurdwara etc

      Delete
    2. hiking a good idea, never thought of that, now only know there r many trail lead to the top after some reading. my son classmate from penang once lead them into a reserve forest along the coastline, thats something interesting as well.

      my visits is always along the beach ie tb n bf, n street food in georgetown, gurney or pulau tikus like other tourist did, rarely go into depth, once i asked a sound stupid question on the bus, what building is that, so grand, penang town hall, a china tourist responded.

      so this round might stay in e&o n cheongfatttze as a way to reminiscing the colonial oriental qing n minguo past, before all might disappears under a inferiority complex cum racialism govt, exist both in mainland n peninsula.

      Delete
    3. Before Covid-19 hit, Georgetown was fast becoming a Theme-Park style representation of the 1920s Straits Setttlement.

      Better see what's left of the original Penang before it disappears.

      Delete