Is the noose tightening on Tun M, Hadi and Sanusi?

Is the noose tightening on Tun M, Hadi and Sanusi?

THE writing is on the wall for politicians who fan the 3R (race, religion and royalty) sentiments, including former prime ministers, party presidents and even certain Menteri Besar (MB).

This will bring relief to concerned citizens who are asking why Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) appears not to be taking any actions against those who are playing the fiddle while the country burns.

Listen carefully the PMX’s latest statement as it is getting clearer now that actions will be taken against politicians, including those who may be holding important titles or in their late 80s or 90s. In the below video, PMX has issued the ‘Final warning.’

Credit: New Straits Times

Some may like to say that all three – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad – will get away because of their poor health condition and age.

However, they should know better by heeding the advice of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) as the head of the Federation by not playing up 3R issues.

Recall that even before the 15th General Election (GE15) last November, the Conference of Malay Rulers have expressed great concern over the way how the 3Rs were being played up by the politicians.

Besides, most people are already fed up with the 3R polemics and the frequent use the bogeymen to create fear in people so that they will vote for them. People who use critical thinking will dismiss the attempts by these politicians altogether to stay in power.

Despite efforts to show that the May 13 incident was never a racial riot, in the true sense of the word, politicians in 2023 continue to use the incident to create fear.

Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (left) and Tan Sri Hadi Awang

The YDPA alongside the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan of Perak and Sultan of Johor as well as the Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) have often come out strongly against the 3Rs. Their advices have often gone unheeded.

Instead, even the Sultan of Selangor was chided by Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who had allegedly uttered the following words at a ceramah in Selayang recently: “Such is the greatness of the Kedah Sultan. Just look at its MB. A Sultan as great as him would never appoint a lousy MB like Amirudin (Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari).”

Sanusi should just focus on his criticisms against Amirudin, a fellow MB but why bring in the Malay rulers in his political ceramah when both the Sultans of Kedah and Selangor are hardly involved in the politics of the day? Sanusi is shooting his own foot by dragging the Sultan of Selangor into his election campaign.

Dr Mahathir is no different. He recently took it to the social media to attack the royal institution by saying that Malays cannot look to them to protect their rights.

Amidst all the tongue lashing by Dr Mahathir and Hadi against the Chinese, it is the Malays who are – in fact – putting in efforts to build the unity with other fellow Malaysians as one people.

In recent weeks, NGOs such as army veterans group National Patriots Association (PATRIOT), Group of 25, Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia, Rasuah Busters and the Malaysian Youth Council have whipped up the Gelombang Perpaduan. This clearly shows that people, including the Malays, are against the use of 3Rs in Malaysian politics.

If more events are organised to include Buffet Sajian Kampung with halal snacks by the other communities or an annual walkathon, the Chinese and the Indians are more likely to attend than just a launch.

Generally, most non-Malays including East Malaysians see the value of coming together as fellow Malaysians after 60 years of nationhood.

By now, people like Dr Mahathir and Hadi should realise that their polemics are no longer relevant as people no longer believe everything they have to say.

If ever there is a good advice for the two senior citizens, they have better to keep their mouths shut or else they will face the music.

Unlike the early years, Malays who had protected the Chinese during the May 13 political clashes are no longer allowing politicians to carry on with their narratives to stay in power. They are now more vocal and would not allow the 3R issues to be played up.

If both Dr Mahathir and Hadi, Sanusi and others continue to harp on the 3Rs, the noose on them will be tightening.

If everything goes well – and if the predictions are correct – the closure to the 3R episode which has irked most Malaysians will most likely come to an end after the six state elections. – July 14, 2023.