The question that arises is whether Mahathir can be trusted to lead the “Save Malaysia” campaign.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has of late been portrayed as “the saviour” in the wake of a campaign to “Save Malaysia” from corrupt leaders.
However, the question that arises is whether Mahathir can be trusted to lead the “Save Malaysia” campaign.
He has promised institutional changes, noted Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Chairman P. Waythamoorthy in a statement.
The Hindraf chief, who was briefly in the Cabinet after GE13, charged that Mahathir suddenly seems enlightened. “He sees massive powers at the disposal of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.”
“He sees the need to curb those powers.”
Waytha wants to know what institutional changes Mahathir has in mind. The former Prime Minister has not specified what he intends to change and the reasons behind it other than vague statements raising hope, he pointed out.
Politics was more than what the eyes can see and the mind can perceive, he cautioned. Hence, there was debate on whether one should support Mahathir “blindly” in removing a dictator and replacing him perhaps with another dictator. “Politics is a strange and dangerous game,” warned Waytha.
For example, he claimed that Mahathir tried to entice Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi with the Prime Minister’s post if he joined him (Mahathir) in getting rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“This was just a week before the recent twin parliamentary by-elections in Perak and Selangor,” alleged Waytha. “Mahathir promised to return to Umno and support the party if Zahid joined him to oust Najib.”
Hindraf was taking the position that Mahathir had only himself to blame for the mess the country was in today.
Hindraf has also taken the view that Mahathir has to apologize to the people for his perceived failures.
It was taking the cue from an open apology by Mahathir for pushing through a law, two decades ago, that removed the Agong as the final approving authority before any Bill passed by Parliament becomes law.
Waytha argued there were many other “admissions” that Mahathir has to make.
The former Prime Minister was a “dictator” during his 22 years in office, charged Waytha. “He imprisoned his critics and opponents.”
The Hindraf chief went on to “list down a few of his (Mahathir’s) past mistakes which he has to own up”.
For starters, he alleged Mahathir squandered over RM100 billion of public money as a result of financial scandals “during his 22 years through cronyism and nepotism”.
Elsewhere, he pointed at interference by Mahathir in the judiciary including sackings, chipping away at the doctrine of separation of powers, the Prime Minister’s Department emerging as a hyper ministry, and as much power as possible being amassed in the person of the Prime Minister.
Mahathir, continued Waytha, virtually turned the civil service into an all Malay affair. “The civil service no longer reflected the demography of the nation.”
However, the question that arises is whether Mahathir can be trusted to lead the “Save Malaysia” campaign.
He has promised institutional changes, noted Hindraf Makkal Sakthi Chairman P. Waythamoorthy in a statement.
The Hindraf chief, who was briefly in the Cabinet after GE13, charged that Mahathir suddenly seems enlightened. “He sees massive powers at the disposal of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.”
“He sees the need to curb those powers.”
Waytha wants to know what institutional changes Mahathir has in mind. The former Prime Minister has not specified what he intends to change and the reasons behind it other than vague statements raising hope, he pointed out.
Politics was more than what the eyes can see and the mind can perceive, he cautioned. Hence, there was debate on whether one should support Mahathir “blindly” in removing a dictator and replacing him perhaps with another dictator. “Politics is a strange and dangerous game,” warned Waytha.
For example, he claimed that Mahathir tried to entice Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi with the Prime Minister’s post if he joined him (Mahathir) in getting rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“This was just a week before the recent twin parliamentary by-elections in Perak and Selangor,” alleged Waytha. “Mahathir promised to return to Umno and support the party if Zahid joined him to oust Najib.”
Hindraf was taking the position that Mahathir had only himself to blame for the mess the country was in today.
Hindraf has also taken the view that Mahathir has to apologize to the people for his perceived failures.
It was taking the cue from an open apology by Mahathir for pushing through a law, two decades ago, that removed the Agong as the final approving authority before any Bill passed by Parliament becomes law.
Waytha argued there were many other “admissions” that Mahathir has to make.
The former Prime Minister was a “dictator” during his 22 years in office, charged Waytha. “He imprisoned his critics and opponents.”
The Hindraf chief went on to “list down a few of his (Mahathir’s) past mistakes which he has to own up”.
For starters, he alleged Mahathir squandered over RM100 billion of public money as a result of financial scandals “during his 22 years through cronyism and nepotism”.
Elsewhere, he pointed at interference by Mahathir in the judiciary including sackings, chipping away at the doctrine of separation of powers, the Prime Minister’s Department emerging as a hyper ministry, and as much power as possible being amassed in the person of the Prime Minister.
Mahathir, continued Waytha, virtually turned the civil service into an all Malay affair. “The civil service no longer reflected the demography of the nation.”
No comments:
Post a Comment