Analyst dismisses Mukhriz being on par with Dr M as a leader
An analyst does not think Mukhriz can emulate his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, based on his weak track record. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has rubbished a claim that Mukhriz Mahathir would be a successor on par with Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Pejuang.
Commenting on a statement by a Pejuang leader that Mukhriz is capable of emulating his father, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said Mukhriz could not even complete his term when he helmed the post of Kedah menteri besar on two separate occasions.
In a statement this morning, Pejuang federal territories chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan dispelled the notion that the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition would come to an end without Mahathir at the helm. Instead, he said, Mukhriz was poised to take over and was just as strong a leader as his father.
Khairuddin said Mukhriz’s exposure to politics from a young age and experience as a businessman gave him a good foundation.
However, according to Fauzi, Mukhriz ended his term as Kedah menteri besar prematurely on two occasions. First, when he was with Barisan Nasional, and was removed after the fallout between Mahathir and then prime minister Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal in 2016.
When Bersatu was part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Mukhriz was again made Kedah menteri besar following the coalition winning the state in the 14th general election (GE14). However, he was removed after he and Mahathir were among MPs who were sacked by Bersatu for not aligning themselves with the new Muhyiddin Yassin administration in May 2020.
Fauzi said Mukhriz would have remained as menteri besar if he was successful as a leader.
“If he had been that successful as menteri besar, then, regardless of Bersatu’s withdrawal from PH, the people would have clamoured for him to stay on as menteri besar,” he said.
Fauzi further said it would be hard for anyone to follow in the footsteps of a strong leader, such as Mahathir.
“They would usually be weak and indecisive since an authoritarian leader would have been the focal point of all high-level decisions.
“It’s not uncommon for a weak leadership to follow such a strong leader, because authoritarianism curbs creativity in leadership.”
‘Asian Tiger’
In his statement, Khairuddin compared Mukhriz with Mahathir when the latter was deputy prime minister under Hussein Onn, saying Mahathir did not stand out then either and only worked to implement Hussein’s ideas.
He said Mukhriz would be able to repeat history by transforming Malaysia into an “Asian Tiger” once again.
PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has rubbished a claim that Mukhriz Mahathir would be a successor on par with Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Pejuang.
Commenting on a statement by a Pejuang leader that Mukhriz is capable of emulating his father, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said Mukhriz could not even complete his term when he helmed the post of Kedah menteri besar on two separate occasions.
In a statement this morning, Pejuang federal territories chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan dispelled the notion that the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition would come to an end without Mahathir at the helm. Instead, he said, Mukhriz was poised to take over and was just as strong a leader as his father.
Khairuddin said Mukhriz’s exposure to politics from a young age and experience as a businessman gave him a good foundation.
However, according to Fauzi, Mukhriz ended his term as Kedah menteri besar prematurely on two occasions. First, when he was with Barisan Nasional, and was removed after the fallout between Mahathir and then prime minister Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal in 2016.
When Bersatu was part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Mukhriz was again made Kedah menteri besar following the coalition winning the state in the 14th general election (GE14). However, he was removed after he and Mahathir were among MPs who were sacked by Bersatu for not aligning themselves with the new Muhyiddin Yassin administration in May 2020.
Fauzi said Mukhriz would have remained as menteri besar if he was successful as a leader.
“If he had been that successful as menteri besar, then, regardless of Bersatu’s withdrawal from PH, the people would have clamoured for him to stay on as menteri besar,” he said.
Fauzi further said it would be hard for anyone to follow in the footsteps of a strong leader, such as Mahathir.
“They would usually be weak and indecisive since an authoritarian leader would have been the focal point of all high-level decisions.
“It’s not uncommon for a weak leadership to follow such a strong leader, because authoritarianism curbs creativity in leadership.”
‘Asian Tiger’
In his statement, Khairuddin compared Mukhriz with Mahathir when the latter was deputy prime minister under Hussein Onn, saying Mahathir did not stand out then either and only worked to implement Hussein’s ideas.
He said Mukhriz would be able to repeat history by transforming Malaysia into an “Asian Tiger” once again.
kt comments: Malaysia was never an 'Asian Tiger' - only Sing, Taiwan, HK and South Korea were. Maka, jangan kerbau
“We have not seen Mukhriz’s true potential yet. As Pejuang president, it is only natural that he allows his father, who is far more experienced, to steer the party’s direction first,” he added.
Last week, Mahathir announced the formation of the new GTA coalition comprising Malay-based parties, NGOs, academics as well as professionals.
GTA also includes his party Pejuang, the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman), Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa).
Political analysts have stated that the coalition would not last long past Mahathir’s leadership, as the other parties and leaders in the coalition lacked support and influence.
Mukhriz is better than Mahathir in the sense that he lacks Senior's vile mentality .....hohoho...
ReplyDelete"We have not seen Mukhriz’s true potential yet. As Pejuang president, it is only natural that he allows his father, who is far more experienced, to steer the party’s direction first,” he added."
ReplyDeleteComment: this sounds like a man who is desperately trying to convince himself that he has latched on to a good thing and that his future supreme leader, Mukhriz will shine through.
My prediction - boy-boy will oversee a disintegrated Pejuang and GTA soon as the old buffoon goes to collect his seventy two virgins or raisins (which thankfully, won't be long seeing the decrepit old man tottering)