Dr Mahathir Vs Prime Minister Abdullah
Anwar: A plot to bring back Dr M
Arfa'eza A Aziz, Malaysiakini
Jul 18, 06 1:36pm
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim said the on-going attack against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could be a plot to bring former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad back to the helm.
“I don't preclude the possibility of a plan that this huge challenge is to bring back Mahathir...,” said the former deputy prime minister in an exclusive interview with malaysiakini.
“Remember, the whole basis of his (Mahathir's) criticism is not one or two policies but that the leadership has lost its focus.
“(Mahathir is contending that) the Malays cannot feel secure under the present leadership. He is contending that (under the current leadership) our (the Malays') interests are not protected and that interests have been sold to a foreign country and in particular to the Singapore.
“Certainly there is a racist connotation there or the message is that the Chinese (continue to be a threat)... and therefore you need a strong leader (Mahathir) to make amends and to chart a clear policy to protect the interests of this country before surrendering to whomever, and in this case, (deputy prime minister) Najib (Razak).”
However, Anwar conceded this could be an unlikely scenario as hurling criticisms against Abdullah would not be sufficient to bring about such a drastic outcome.
“I spoke to some of his (Mahathir’s) strong supporters or aides ... and they seemed very optimistic, encouraged by the resounding support given, including by some opposition leaders. But I think it is not really realistic to expect that Umno members are going to turn up in big numbers against Abdullah.”
Rough turbulence ahead
However, Mahathir nevertheless has the capacity to cause problems for Abdullah, whom Anwar predicts would be facing “rough turbulence” in months ahead.
“I think it is going to be a sustained and concerted effort on his (Mahathir's) part. And he has some supporters not only among the veterans but also at Umno's grassroots level. And they (Mahathir and his supporters) have the resources... they have hundreds and millions of ringgit at their disposal.”
Mahathir, who is currently on an overseas vacation until July 22, has been scathing in his criticism of the government for, among others, scrapping the ‘crooked bridge’ project to replace the Causeway to Singapore.
He has also questioned Abdullah's decisions pertaining to national car manufacturer Proton and the discrepancies in the issuance of Approved Permits. Mahathir had on one occasion wondered aloud if he had made the wrong choice in naming Abdullah as his successor.
Anwar however did not expect Najib to mount a challenge against Abdullah.
“He is never known to have strong views. We would probably have to consult (Najib's wife) Rosmah on her views too… but I don't foresee this sort of challenge,” he quipped.
But he said Najib's statements of support for the premier has been "far from convincing".
Racism against Singapore
In the two-hour interview last week at the malaysiakini office in Bangsar Utama, Anwar also alleged that Umno, which he was once part of, had amassed a cash horde of RM8 billion.
He said this was done through an opaque system of Umno-linked tycoons and companies holding the money on behalf of the party.
Anwar also noted that there was a tinge of racism in Mahathir's criticisms against the Singapore government, especially on the crooked bridge issue.
“This is Singapore, our neighbour - setting aside that it is a difficult neighbour - but still the subtle racist undertones to my mind is very irresponsible on his (Mahathir's) part,” said Anwar, who served as deputy prime minister for almost six years before he was unceremoniously sacked by Mahathir over allegations of corruption and sexual misdemeanour.
“Not only (he raised the issue of) nationalism but (he) also (spoke) against the Chinese and Singapore (whom he claimed are) trying to act tough against the Malay leadership and that they (the Chinese leadership in Singapore) should be taught a lesson.”
A friend emailed the above article to me which I think could explain Dr M's motive for bad-mouthing his successor.
Dr M could have kicked himself silly for not grooming his sons to succeed him and at the same time clinging onto power under some fancy titles.
Arfa'eza A Aziz, Malaysiakini
Jul 18, 06 1:36pm
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim said the on-going attack against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could be a plot to bring former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad back to the helm.
“I don't preclude the possibility of a plan that this huge challenge is to bring back Mahathir...,” said the former deputy prime minister in an exclusive interview with malaysiakini.
“Remember, the whole basis of his (Mahathir's) criticism is not one or two policies but that the leadership has lost its focus.
“(Mahathir is contending that) the Malays cannot feel secure under the present leadership. He is contending that (under the current leadership) our (the Malays') interests are not protected and that interests have been sold to a foreign country and in particular to the Singapore.
“Certainly there is a racist connotation there or the message is that the Chinese (continue to be a threat)... and therefore you need a strong leader (Mahathir) to make amends and to chart a clear policy to protect the interests of this country before surrendering to whomever, and in this case, (deputy prime minister) Najib (Razak).”
However, Anwar conceded this could be an unlikely scenario as hurling criticisms against Abdullah would not be sufficient to bring about such a drastic outcome.
“I spoke to some of his (Mahathir’s) strong supporters or aides ... and they seemed very optimistic, encouraged by the resounding support given, including by some opposition leaders. But I think it is not really realistic to expect that Umno members are going to turn up in big numbers against Abdullah.”
Rough turbulence ahead
However, Mahathir nevertheless has the capacity to cause problems for Abdullah, whom Anwar predicts would be facing “rough turbulence” in months ahead.
“I think it is going to be a sustained and concerted effort on his (Mahathir's) part. And he has some supporters not only among the veterans but also at Umno's grassroots level. And they (Mahathir and his supporters) have the resources... they have hundreds and millions of ringgit at their disposal.”
Mahathir, who is currently on an overseas vacation until July 22, has been scathing in his criticism of the government for, among others, scrapping the ‘crooked bridge’ project to replace the Causeway to Singapore.
He has also questioned Abdullah's decisions pertaining to national car manufacturer Proton and the discrepancies in the issuance of Approved Permits. Mahathir had on one occasion wondered aloud if he had made the wrong choice in naming Abdullah as his successor.
Anwar however did not expect Najib to mount a challenge against Abdullah.
“He is never known to have strong views. We would probably have to consult (Najib's wife) Rosmah on her views too… but I don't foresee this sort of challenge,” he quipped.
But he said Najib's statements of support for the premier has been "far from convincing".
Racism against Singapore
In the two-hour interview last week at the malaysiakini office in Bangsar Utama, Anwar also alleged that Umno, which he was once part of, had amassed a cash horde of RM8 billion.
He said this was done through an opaque system of Umno-linked tycoons and companies holding the money on behalf of the party.
Anwar also noted that there was a tinge of racism in Mahathir's criticisms against the Singapore government, especially on the crooked bridge issue.
“This is Singapore, our neighbour - setting aside that it is a difficult neighbour - but still the subtle racist undertones to my mind is very irresponsible on his (Mahathir's) part,” said Anwar, who served as deputy prime minister for almost six years before he was unceremoniously sacked by Mahathir over allegations of corruption and sexual misdemeanour.
“Not only (he raised the issue of) nationalism but (he) also (spoke) against the Chinese and Singapore (whom he claimed are) trying to act tough against the Malay leadership and that they (the Chinese leadership in Singapore) should be taught a lesson.”
A friend emailed the above article to me which I think could explain Dr M's motive for bad-mouthing his successor.
Dr M could have kicked himself silly for not grooming his sons to succeed him and at the same time clinging onto power under some fancy titles.
posted by locky2ky at 3:22 PM
2 Comments:
MAHATHIR AND ANWAR VERY COMPLICATED SOME YEARS BACK ANWAR WAS PUT IN TO JAIL BY MAHATHIR.POLITICS IS VERY COMPLICATED
Yup..i do agree..very complicated!
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