Dr Mahathir must step down to save Reformasi

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 15 Dec 2018 10:46AM · 9 Comments

IT should be plain by now that we are on the threshold of seeing the reincarnation of Umno through Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his party Bersatu.

Soon, the scores of Umno members of Parliament would dwindle to a handful, with almost all the defecting MPs migrating to boost up the small number of Bersatu MPs, making the latter party one of the largest, if not the largest component party of the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

What’s wrong with stuffing up Bersatu with ex-Umno MPs that would increase PH’s total numbers?

There is nothing seriously wrong with that actually, if Umno had not almost ruined the country with astronomical corruption, corroded the entire government administration, and fractured the country with unbridled racism and religious extremism. And if the country is not led by a dubious reformist leader, Dr Mahathir who has shown unmistakable signs that he is reverting to his previous mode of autocratic rule in the Umno era, during which he destroyed democratic institutions, enhanced racism and brought rampant corruption and cronyism, which system of governance later served as the foundation for former prime minister Najib Razak to launch his world renowned massive kleptocratic frolics.

Dr Mahathir is no reformist

That Dr Mahathir is no reformist is evidenced from his almost cart blanc refusal to abolish the myriad of repressive legislations and dismantle racist institutions like the brain-washing set up of BTN as pledged before the last election.

His reluctance to bring institutional reforms is also seen in his persistent refusal to disclose the reports of the Committee for Institutional Reforms as well as the Council of Eminent Persons respectively. It is obvious that the revelation of those reports would have embarrassed him for his lack of action in the direction recommended in such reports.

That he has not abandoned his racist convictions is seen in the lack of efforts to reform the heavily prejudiced mindset of the Malay masses on race and religion, who have been indoctrinated by Umno’s false propaganda for decades.

A government led by a truly reformist leader would have placed such re-education of the masses as one of its top priority, to be followed by gradual and orderly dismantling of pervasive racial discrimination in education and public service which are now mired in mediocrity as a result of such racist policy.

Dr Mahathir’s racist mindset is also evidenced from his outright rejection of the restoration of local council elections as well as the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminations without any reservation, which is against PH’s earlier promise to the electorate and Mahathir’s own pledge in the UN Assembly.

An Umno die-hard

In retrospect, one would have observed that Dr Mahathir has never admitted that the racist and corrupt rule of Umno is wrong. His only complaint is that Najib’s atrocious corruption has devastated Umno and threatened to destroy the country in due course.

In fact, he had time and again said prior to the election that once Najjib is replaced, everything would be fine and dandy again.

Naturally, when he has achieved exactly that by ousting Najib, his next step would be to revive Umno.  And that, to him, would kill two birds with one stone. In addition to allowing him to rule like the good old days of Umno, he could refuse to hand over the rein to Anwar Ibrahim as pledged.

In fact, he has never intended to honour the PH consensus of passing the post to Anwar. This is evident from his lack of acknowledgment of his status as an interim prime minister to fill the gap before Anwar could legally qualify as one, as well as his oft repeated wishy-washy and flip-flopping utterings on the length of his tenure varying from 1 to 2 years to 2 to 3 years to “as long as the people want me to serve”, and always ending with the proviso that “if the people accept Anwar as PM”.

Obsession for power, aversion to Anwar as PM

His obsession to hang on to power and his aversion to an Anwar prime minister-ship perhaps explain the continuous scheming to bolster the dwarf size of his party’s presence in Parliament with the large pool of Umno MPs.

And such unprincipled plot to amass power stands in contrast to Anwar’s unflinching refusal to accept defecting MPs from Umno out of his fidelity to the Reformasi cause, for which he had willingly endured unparalleled sufferings and persecution for the past two decades.

We are at the cusp of the first turning point for the country in history. And the decision we make today with regards to Dr Mahathir’s imminent embrace of Umno’s defecting flock will determine the nation’s fate for perhaps generations to come.

A bold and correct decision would mean this fledgling reformist coalition would continue to sail on its Reformasi course to bring brighter days for all.

On the other hand, a wrong or weak decision may mean prolong agony with the prospect of plunging the country back to the wretched days of yore characterised by repression, racism and corruption.

Knowing Dr Mahathir’s character, negotiation with him with regards to Umno’s defectors wouldn’t do.

Stepping down the clean solution

The only clean solution would be for Dr Mahathir to pass the baton over to Anwar now.

And that would not only save the day for PH and the nation’s reform aspirations but will also earn Dr Mahathir a permanent place in history as the leader who led the successful overthrow of the decadent Umno regime and ushering in the New Malaysia.

Component parties of the coalition – PKR, DAP and Amanah – have been observed to be hitherto rather submissive to Dr Mahathir’s autocratic style of rule. However, this is a unique moment in history that calls for extraordinary action.

Will the leaders of PKR, DAP and Amanah rise to the occasion and boldly act to set the nation on the right course, or will they timidly avoid the hard decision, causing the country to drift downwards irresolutely?

The nation awaits the answer with bated breath. – December 15, 2018.

* Kim Quek is the author of the banned book The March to Putrajaya and best seller Where to, Malaysia?.

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Comments

  • The title of this article and the write although sharing his 2sen worth.. is instigative, coercive, prompts a divide in the ruling coalition, and unnecessary at this point in time..
    The time now is for the PH Council to come to an understanding and possible a new referendum on the way forward based on the changing landscape of the opposition political parties..
    Now is not the time to instigate disrupt within the ruling party..
    Dr M, Muhyiddin, DSAI, Wan Azizah, LKS, LGE, Mat Sabu, & others must have a closed door and plan strategically the way forward..
    Dont ever let the distractions taking place in the opposition parties to derail your plans. They motive is also to create unrest in the ruling coalition..
    The PH leadership/coalition parties must stand firm during adversities and periods of disrupt - that can cause unhappiness, discontent and so forth amongst yourselves.. if wrong decisions are made..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • I believe Dr M is a changed man from what he was before. He realises and knows this.. He is 93 years and he is making efforts to change what needs to be changed..
    Any hardline stand on the matter is not really important because as far as people are concerned, they rather see some changes taking place although we would like to see a complete overhaul.
    I believe Dr M today is doing his best for the people of Malaysia, although some may still be genuinely unhappy because the changes are not fast enough or changes originally planned have made a U-turn. This presumably due to certain circumstances.
    Bottom line.. he knows he doesnt have much time and we pray that the next leader who takes over will have the tenacity, amidst all the distractions, to bring value to the people of the country..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Please keep your emotion with you. Don't waste your time writing nor my time reading.

    Posted 5 years ago by It's me GR · Reply

  • Its flippantly convenient accusing Dr M as an unrepentant racist : but is the writer truly a race-blind and non-racial in his outlook ?

    Posted 5 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • all i know is that there is a need to control dewan negara to be effective in making the legislative changes that PH seeked to do. better get those senators to jump rather than MPs in dewan rakyat

    Posted 5 years ago by Sharizal Shaarani · Reply

  • Kim Quek rightly shares the concerns of many malaysians, whi are petrified at manathirs about turn on reforms. Not that we werent wise to the traits of the grand old man of malaysian politics; we knew, but we were willling to take a risk with him.

    But we are already smelling his switching to old ways. Witnessthe following:-
    1. Govt wont support proton 2.0 (but latest is govt will provide grants)
    2. Manifesto about turn - abolishing poca, detention laws

    Neverthelees, his willingness to accept the pirates of curi-bn into bersatus fold has to be the severest of the lot todate. And it has nothing to do with magnanimity and good ppl in umno.

    It is all about political dominance.

    The one funny thing about mahathir, is that he never truly cared at just how contradictory he could end up sounding. Often.

    For he tells us at how the Malays are living in the comfort zone, susceptible to a handout culture.
    But lo, in inviting the pirates of curi-bn in bersatu, he negates his own argument by giving them an easy entry, over and above accountability.

    Maybe it is time for another bersih rally.

    If only to let the old man know - we voted for reform and change.

    And to bring the lanuns to accountability.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Kim Quek's book the March to Putrajaya is still banned? Goodness gracious me! In this day and age, when the march has well and truly happened and ended and maybe struggling...

    Posted 5 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

  • Kim Quek has rightfully pointed out for Malaysian to be awared of the charades that the old man is playing. Mahatir is a shrewd politician and right now he is dwelling on the euphoric emotions of the rakyat elated with the May 9th success . He has definitely capaitalised on golden opportunity and perpetually utilise the notions that he is requested and wanted by rakyat to be PM . True and sadly due to Anwar silly antics which only helps to enhance and reinforce the old man popularity. Mahatir has cleverly used his age as a nonagenarian , simple and sarcastic rebuke in arguments on the back of 1MDB colossal damages to force his intented actions thru' . His orchestrated display of old man wilful manners throwing in a " crying baby " stint to fully melt the ardent supporters and even the hard core adversary was emphatically play to the hilt to gather sympathy and support. His famous stoical off the cuft remarks will pre empt and subjugate off any intended reforms in his hypocritically remark that it is against constitution. He still love to play the role of telling one thing and bring it up at ultra high, bringing it down without an iota of remorse -- his favorite vice versa mode. He knows that the rakyat are very forgiving and willing to accept and listen to him. They are beholden and held to ransom for his achievements in getting rid of Najib. Kim Quek sounding out the alert is a good reminder to rakyat. The real battle has not begun yet. In all honesty Mahatir has already played his role expected of him to topple the monstrous kleptocratic government. Rakyat must be on constant reminder that it is Mahatir himself who is the creator of the mess and where Umno runs rogue. By playing saint now do not give him any leeway to run away from that guilt. Let Mahatir be as what he is now to ride out into the sunset. Welcome another to take charge to chart a new course and steer towards a New Malaysia.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • It is sad to see from the above comments that Malaysians still believe in Messiahs. We need to stop looking for Messiahs and start fixing the SYSTEM. That is the meaning of institutional reforms. We need a strong opposition, decision-making by the rakyat (not backdoor cabals and bottom feeders) and independent institutions (including the media). There are no Messiahs. There are only the rakyat and the people we elect to represent us. If we don't hold them to account, they will become tyrants. It has happened before and will happen again.

    Posted 5 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply