By S Rutra - Free Malaysia Today,FMT EXCLUSIVE In the final part of an exclusive interview with FMT, DAP stalwart Karpal Singh compares the leadership styles of former premiers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as well as current premier, Najib Tun Razak.
While acknowledging Mahathir's contribution to the nation, Karpal however suggested that the doctor-turned-politician had caused more harm than good during his 22-year watch.
“We cannot deny the facts, Mahathir did achieve something. He came at the right time when the economy was doing well. One of his first steps was also to release political detainees at the time,” he said.
However, things took a drastic turn when former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah challenged Mahathir for the top post in Umno in 1987.
“When this happened, Mahathir diverted the attention from his own problems by launching 'Operasi Lalang' where a total of 106 people were detained under the Internal Security Act,” said Karpal, who was one of those thrown behind bars as well.
The 1987 crackdown set the tone for the rest of Mahathir's years in office (until 2003), where he was accused of being a dictator who had little tolerance for dissent.
In the folllowing year, Karpal said Mahathir went after the judiciary.
“In fact, he had single-handedly emasculated the judiciary,” he said, referring to the removal of the then Lord President Salleh Abas.
“He used the King, the Sultan of Johor at that time, to set up the tribunal and eventually sack Salleh for misconduct,” he added.
During Mahathir's reign, Karpal said, Malaysia's human rights record was at its lowest ebb and the nation's image took an international beating.
Even after stepping down, he said, Mahathir continued to intervene in the administration of the government and played a pivotal role in driving out his successor, Abdullah.
“He was angry because Pak Lah (Abdullah) did not carry out the projects he (Mahathir) wanted him to. For example, the crooked bridge between Johor and Singapore. This is because many of Mahathir's cronies were involved in that project,” he added.
Pak Lah lacked the strength
As for Abdullah, Karpal said the former premier had lacked the capacity and strength to initiate reforms during his five-year tenure because he was one of those “50-50” people.
Abdullah had come into power with grand promises, among which, was to go after the big fish involved in corruption. But this failed to materialise.
He was also ovsershadowed by his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, whom critics, including Mahathir, called the de-facto prime minister.
Karpal noted that Abdullah will be remembered as the Barisan Nasional leader who scored the biggest ever mandate in the 2004 general election.
“And of course, he will also be remembered for BN's worst ever (election) result in 2008. He was clearly a man of extreme ups and downs,” he said.
Altantuya still haunts Najib
Meanwhile, Karpal said the country's sixth prime minister Najib is attempting to win over the people through his so-called walkabouts.
“But I don't think this will have any significant impact; a walkabout is a walkabout and nothing beyond that,” he added.
Stressing that Najib has been unable to distance himself from the Altantunya Shaariibuu murder case, the DAP leader said the son of thd second prime minister moved into office with “adverse political baggage”.
“For example, the Altantuya issue; he is just unable to clear the mind of the rakyat on some parts he might have played. This could have been easily cleared at the trial itself.
“He should have come as a witness and explained the fact that Abdul Razak Baginda went to see him and they were close associates,” he said.
“Although there was no direct involvement, the fact remains that his people had directed the police officers to go to Abdul Razak's house and take away Altantuya.
“He (Najib) should have explained this in court and cleared the air,” he added.
Abdul Razak, an academic with close ties to Najib, was initially charged with abetting the murder. He was later acquitted.
Two special operations force police personnel were found guilty of murdering the Mongolian national.
1Malaysia means equal treatment
Karpal is also not convinced about the impact of Najib's brainchild, the 1Malaysia concept, arguing that it was a rip-off from DAP's Malaysian Malaysia slogan.
“Our Malaysian Malaysia concept has been in existence since 1965 after Singapore separated from us. Even his (Najib) own people don't understand what this (1Malaysia) concept is all about.
“If it is 1Malaysia, then there should be equality. I have been saying that 'one' means everybody is treated as one and so Najib should tell when the special privileges for the Bumiputera will end,” he said.
The DAP leader also took a swipe at Perkasa and its chief Ibrahim Ali, saying that extremism has no room in any political party in Malaysia.
He also noted the double standards in dealing with remarks, percieved as seditious.
“We (the opposition) are charged (under the Sedition Act) for the slightest matter, but when it comes to open seditious remarks like what Mahathir has said in support of Perkasa (there is no action).
“Although I feel the Sedition Act is outdated, why is that they use it against us but not them? All should be given the same treatment,” he said.
Judiciary has not recovered
On another matter, Karpal, who is a renowned criminal lawyer, was also asked about the state of the judiciary in Malaysia today.
The veteran politician lamented that the institution has yet to recover from its 1988 injury, and public confidence has declined further, especially with cases concerning the ruling government.
He cited Anwar's case and the MB vs MB case over the legitimacy of the Perak government as examples.
“I think the attempts by the current chief justice to restore credibility in the judiciary has fallen flat. There should be separation of powers, not just lip service,” he said.
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