Ex-AG says Mahathir’s monumental betrayal made way for Trump-like Muhyiddin
A “monumental betrayal” by Mahathir Mohamad led to a “kakistrocracy” formed by Muhyiddin Yassin, says Tommy Thomas. (Bernama pic)
kt note: kakistrocacy = government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a statePETALING JAYA: Former attorney general Tommy Thomas has harsh words for Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose resignation as prime minister in February 2020 paved the way for Muhyddin Yassin to take power.
In an epilogue to his recently-published memoirs, Thomas described Mahathir’s resignation as “a monumental betrayal”.
In a Churchillian turn of phrase, Thomas said: “Seldom in our nation’s history have so many million voters been let down by the actions of one man.”
Mahathir resigned on Feb 24, causing the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government two years after it came to power in the 2018 general election. His resignation led the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to seek a new prime minister and cabinet from members of Parliament.
Muhyiddin was appointed five days later after the King consulted political leaders to determine who commanded a majority in the Dewan Rakyat. He formed a government of parties in the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
Thomas said the formation of the new government “by a coalition of Malay-centric parties that proudly proclaim their race and religion” had brought disastrous consequences to multi-racial Malaysia.
He compared Muhyiddin Yassin to former US president Donald Trump, saying they both represented the rise to power of those lacking credibility and principle.
Both Muhiddin and Trump represented the modern ‘”kakistocracy”, he said, using a term invented in 17th century England to mean “government by the worst; to describe the political rise of the least qualified or most unscrupulous”.
Calling it a “misgovernment for profit”, Thomas said the kakistocracy served a political agenda – the shameless pursuit of hate politics: (Trump’s) America First, or the Malay/Muslim Agenda of the PN government.
He also said that Trump displayed “dictatorial conduct” during his tenure, disregarding conventions, norms and even legal requirements. Malaysia’s opposition parties have used similar terms against Muhyiddin after his government declared a state of emergency.
In an epilogue to his recently-published memoirs, Thomas described Mahathir’s resignation as “a monumental betrayal”.
In a Churchillian turn of phrase, Thomas said: “Seldom in our nation’s history have so many million voters been let down by the actions of one man.”
Mahathir resigned on Feb 24, causing the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government two years after it came to power in the 2018 general election. His resignation led the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to seek a new prime minister and cabinet from members of Parliament.
Muhyiddin was appointed five days later after the King consulted political leaders to determine who commanded a majority in the Dewan Rakyat. He formed a government of parties in the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
Thomas said the formation of the new government “by a coalition of Malay-centric parties that proudly proclaim their race and religion” had brought disastrous consequences to multi-racial Malaysia.
He compared Muhyiddin Yassin to former US president Donald Trump, saying they both represented the rise to power of those lacking credibility and principle.
Both Muhiddin and Trump represented the modern ‘”kakistocracy”, he said, using a term invented in 17th century England to mean “government by the worst; to describe the political rise of the least qualified or most unscrupulous”.
Calling it a “misgovernment for profit”, Thomas said the kakistocracy served a political agenda – the shameless pursuit of hate politics: (Trump’s) America First, or the Malay/Muslim Agenda of the PN government.
He also said that Trump displayed “dictatorial conduct” during his tenure, disregarding conventions, norms and even legal requirements. Malaysia’s opposition parties have used similar terms against Muhyiddin after his government declared a state of emergency.
Tommy Thomas will be arrested and charged soon for "criminal defamation", a favoured law under Jibby.
ReplyDeletePeople often think defamation is a civil dispute between private individuals or institutions. But Malaysia retains an archaic law called "Criminal Defamation" whereby the full powers of the Police and DPP are thrown against an individual in what ought to be a civil matter.
Mahathir the hated Dictator never used it against his critics.
If he is smart during his 22 months TT would have amassed knowledge and copies of all the "files" in the AGC, all secure and safe of course, furthermore his Canadian/UK/Aust/NZ passports are ready to be picked up at the High Commissions...ha ha ha...
DeleteAiyah this one only 3 paragraphs in 530 page book want to heboh-heboh, Altantuya got whole chapter....
ReplyDeleteYou defame my reputation (ha ha ha) by making all kinds of insinuations about me in Altamtuya’s murder.
But Azilah directly accused Jibby of giving the order to kill the Mongolian. Why didn’t Jibby sue Azilah? Only make sumpah laknat?
Now with Tommy’s book make another sumpah lah. Problem solved, your reputation protected. If you saman then you have to go to court over this Altantuya case, to prove you have nothing to do with her murder. Want to dig it all up again? Ha ha ha.....stupid fler, who is your hotshot LAU-YAR?
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Sue Azilah for defamation, lawyer tells Najib
V Anbalagan - December 9, 2020
PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak should now file a defamation suit against Azilah Hadri who had claimed that the former prime minister ordered the murder of Mongolian citizen Altantuya Shaariibuu, a civil lawyer said.
Americk Sidhu said the suit would help clear Najib’s name as the former policeman’s statutory declaration (SD) had tainted him.
“Najib should file the suit not with the intention of obtaining damages but to redeem his reputation in the eyes of the public,” he told FMT.
Americk said the former prime minister had in the past been constrained from doing anything about Azilah’s claim as the Altantuya and Azilah matters were still pending before the courts. Yesterday, Azilah exhausted all his legal avenues when the Federal Court dismissed his application for a review of his murder conviction and death sentence.
Last December, Najib took a “sumpah laknat” at Masjid Jamek in Kampung Baru to deny allegations made by Azilah in the SD that was attached in the appeal for review.
After Friday prayers, Najib told a congregation of about 500 that “I have never directed anyone to kill a Mongolian citizen named Altantuya Shaariibuu and I have never met nor do I know the deceased”.
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