Last chance for Dr Mahathir to exit with dignity

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 28 Feb 2020 10:40AM · 7 Comments

HE was impressive. It was the carefully chosen words, delivery and right facial expression.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s interim prime minister, had many eating out of his hands by the time the short announcement was over.

His suggestion, where cabinet members are chosen on meritocracy and not along party lines, would obviously have the support of the people.

The idea sounds so plausible on paper because it appears to be people-centric and will keep away warring factions within the government.

But it simply won’t work. And I don’t want to mince my words when I say that it would consolidate powers in the hands of Dr Mahathir.

More importantly, the will of the people would not be done because Dr Mahathir need not be accountable to the Pakatan Harapan manifesto or any reform agenda, is free to appoint whomever he chooses into cabinet and that includes politicians from Umno and PAS, need not work on a consensus or consult with PH.

In short, it would be a one-man show. It would be a Mahathir government. And Dr Mahathir would only be answerable to himself.

This is a betrayal to the people who voted in PH, based on its election promises and reform agenda.

The flurry of events over the last few days has left many confused.

Instead of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Dr Mahathir made an announcement stating no PM nominee secured a distinct majority and that Parliament will choose the prime minister at a special sitting.

This has prompted constitutional experts to say only the Agong has the powers to choose the prime minister.

Istana Negara hasn’t divulged the numbers obtained by nominated candidates despite a long interview process by the Agong.

And we don’t know why the Agong isn’t appointing as prime minister a member who is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the lower house and if PKR president Anwar Ibrahim could possibly have the numbers.

In short, we are left grappling for answers.

But ironically, in this protracted mess, people have forgotten than Anwar is supposed to take over from Dr Mahathir.

In 2018, Malaysians cheered on Dr Mahathir and believed he would do the right thing for the country.

They trusted he was no more the dictator but a leader who was committed to reforms.

But in less than two years, we are questioning if he was playing to the gallery. If he were the man who orchestrated the collapse of the PH government with the help of a few individuals.

I will still say all is not lost. Dr Mahathir can still exit the scene with honour and dignity if he can withdraw from the race and pave the way for Anwar to be the eighth prime minister, as he has lost the mandate of the people. – February 28, 2020.

* Charles Santiago is Klang MP.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.

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Comments

  • A Unity Government sounds intriguing. I think Mahathir would select the best people for the jobs, free of political constraints brought about by party preference and ideology. Perhaps that's what the country needs right now. Obviously we don't know if it will actually work but what we do know is that whilst there were some Ministers doing their job over the last 2 years, there were more of them playing dirty politics and fighting for power. And look what that lead to.

    Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • A Unity Government sounds intriguing. I think Mahathir would select the best people for the jobs, free of political constraints brought about by party preference and ideology. Perhaps that's what the country needs right now. Obviously we don't know if it will actually work but what we do know is that whilst there were some Ministers doing their job over the last 2 years, there were more of them playing dirty politics and fighting for power. And look what that lead to.

    Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • What unity government are we talking about. It is going to be a government of people who betrayed us voters in GE14. A turncoat or backstabbing or traitors government would be better name.

    Posted 4 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • In a unity government, firstly people do not choose the PM. Secondly the officials appointed by this PM are not chosen by the people. The unity government is therefore absolutely not democratic. Instead it is absolutely authoritative.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Unity govt by one person? Where is democracy?

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Mahatir is a joke !! We rakyat should be asking when he tendered in his resignation as PM and accepted by the Agong , Why by constituitional protocol was the Interim PM not accorded to the DPM . Why did Mahatir suggest and insist himself to be InterimPM. He is a PM alright--- Prime Manipulator. Enough of his shits. He is asking to be chased off !!. People power of rakat has the say and totally disgusted with him. We plead to the Agong that this vile man should not be in the political scene anymore as all will be lost.Not even one leaders in the world who are at such an advance age still dreams of greed and powder when half their leg are already into the ground and knowingly that their numbers are at any time a calling. They know that they are failing in health and intellectual dysfunctioning to put the country at risk anymore. So Mahatir get lost please !!!!!!!!

    Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Mahathir is not the reason for all of this. The sex tape by PKR, PKR's impatience to make Anwar the PM and DAP's very aggressive nature is the reason. The unity government is a solution to our problem. The winning party's leader will become the PM and the cabinet will call upon members from all political parties. There will also be rules, guidance of what will be the focus of the cabinet, for example no talks about race or religion.The cabinet will only be focused on the economy. A another division will be created to handle
    racial issues if there are any.Some of the cabinet posts will be taken by very experienced businessmen and successful professionals who do not belong to any political party.

    Posted 4 years ago by PRADEEP Balakrishnan · Reply