One final letter to Tun M: The fading from a once bright star to a footnote

One final letter to Tun M: The fading from a once bright star to a footnote

By Phlip Rodrigues

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a restless man. He is not done with politics. He still thinks he is the centre of the political universe and all must listen to him in awe and reverence.

The twice former prime minister (PM) cannot stop his rantings, especially his unkind remarks about the non-Malay ethnic communities.

He is nearing the centenary milestone but the ancient politician is reluctant to make a graceful exit from the national stage.

Instead of playing the role of a respected elder statesman, he has transformed into a bitter, revengeful, grumpy old man bent on sowing seeds of discord in a multiracial society.

He was once a ‘good doctor’ who prescribed various medicines to make Malaysia healthy and strong. He injected bold plans to re-make the nation in his own image.

But after more than 20 years at the helm and becoming PM twice, he has ruined his reputation with all his racially-tinted silly diatribe.

Ever since he was trounced in the 15th General Election (GE15) to the extent of losing his deposit, his conduct veered off course as he began his relentless assaults on the non-Malays and all those in power.

He is constantly “indulging in emotions of revenge and spite” to whip up support for his extreme stance fraught with danger.

This time, he courts the largely Malay populace in the belief that the major ethnic group would rise up and rally around the banner of Malay supremacy and his flagpole of ethnocentrism.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (second from left) has reconciled with his once arch enemy and PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang

kt note: KKKK is such an unscrupulous opportunist that he would "reconciled" with anyone, including archfoes Anwar, Lim KS and even the Devil, just to get what he wants

Not prepared to give up

All his attacks come at a time when the anti-corruption drive is picking up speed which saw prominent political figures, former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, being hauled up to court. Even the Mahathir siblings are under probe for suspected graft offences.

Perhaps, Dr Mahathir is feeling the heat. He feels he is under siege. He sees his legacy crumbling. Can he fight back?

He is indeed returning fire the classic method: employing what can be considered as diversionary tactics by harping on issues that can inflame public feelings and perhaps bring about a quick change of government with him back in power with a vengeance.

Let’s send the old man a short letter.

Dear doctor, you are no longer relevant today. Your days as the most powerful man in the country are over for good. You have done your job and that’s it.

When you came back the second time after ousting a corrupt leader, we hailed you as the saviour of Malaysia. How wrong we were! You discarded your sheep’s suit to reveal a wolf baring your fangs after your ignominious defeat on the electoral battlefield.

You are now playing with fire in your desperate bid to regain lost ground. You are brainwashing people to hate their fellow citizens who have been loyal to this country of their birth.

Doctor, do not disillusion yourself into believing that you can return as a hero one more time because this is not going to happen. You have lost your credibility ever since you played the race card.

In the political pantheon, you will no longer occupy a place of distinction. Your bright star has dimmed and you will just remain an insignificant footnote. In the dustbin of history will lie all your lifetime achievements – forgotten, reviled, discarded.

 – Feb 14, 2024



Phlip Rodrigues is a former journalist.