From TheHeatMalaysia, something very sensible written by Adrian Lim:
Mar 12, 2016 8:00 PM
The hullaballoo over the recently signed Citizens’ Declaration to remove Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, opposition leaders, Umno rebels and civil society leaders has more or less cooled down.
However, as Mahathir gets removed from his position in Petronas as adviser, obviously due to the move against Najib, it seems there are many in the ruling government still sore over the declaration.
To those who think Mahathir and the Opposition have joined hands over everything, think again. Here are six things you should know about Mahathir, the Opposition and the declaration.
1. The only clear-cut common agenda is to remove Najib as the prime minister. Nothing else.
The NGOs want Najib removed coupled with institutional reforms.
Pakatan Harapan wants Najib removed, wants to win federal power, wants Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim freed,
while Mahathir wants just wants Najib removed.
The only clear-cut common ground they all share is removing Najib. What happens after that differs.
In fact, removing Najib has been part of the struggle of NGOs and Opposition leaders all these while. Thus, it is wrong to say that the NGOs and Opposition have sold their souls to please Mahathir.
2. The declaration is not supported by Pakatan Harapan.
This was declared by the Chief Secretariat of Pakatan Harapan on Thursday. The Citizens’ Declaration is not supported by Pakatan Harapan, but in the representatives’ individual capacity.
3. Mahathir is using the Opposition.
This is true, but don’t forget Pakatan Harapan leaders are also using Mahathir to their advantage.
Pakatan Harapan leaders, who were once alienated by fence sitters, rural voters and traditional Umno supporters, now find common ground with these voters.
4. Mahathir will dump the Opposition once he gets what he wants.
This, at the end of the day, depends on how you play the game. When you start with the mindset of being a tool for Mahathir, then the only question left for you is “when will he get what he wants and dump us?”
So, start with “let’s make use of the opportunity and break Umno from within”. Consider yourself having a platform to reach out to non-Opposition supporters.
Whether you like it or not, “Tun M cakap Najib perlu disingkir” sells better than “Pembangkang mahu Najib disingkir”.
5. Dr M needs the Opposition more than the Opposition needs Dr M.
This alike the previous one, it all depends on the starting point. If you have the mindset of needing Mahathir, then you will forever be trapped in the mindset that he is superior.
He is struggling to remain relevant with the possibility of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir being sacked. In order to possess a threat to Najib, he needs to team up with a stronger force to show he is needed by Umno.
Opposition leaders and supporters should start by acknowledging how valuable they are to Mahathir. Make the most out of his desperation.
6. Look at the bigger picture.
Anwar was the most famous political detainee under Mahathir’s iron-fist rule. Malaysians are aware of what Mahathir did to him and his family. Yet, he was willing to put aside his personal feelings for a greater good — removing Najib.
Lim Kit Siang, Hishamuddin Rais and Tian Chua were all political detainees under the draconian ISA during Mahathir’s administration. Yet, they too were willing to put aside their personal feelings for a greater good.
This is akin to you and me wanting to go to 1 Utama Megamall for different reasons, but we decided to take the same taxi.
Nobody forced you to do the same thing as me in 1Utama, neither did anyone force me to do the same thing as you in 1Utama. But we still can take the same taxi and it will reduce cost.
Not everyone has forgiven Mahathir, but that is beside the point. The declaration is not about forgiving or forgetting Mahathir’s sins, but merely to do something they all have in common.
People tend to forget, it is not about the people standing there, it is about a collective voice from people with clout against corrupted powers.
No one has forgotten what Mahathir did. He will still be called to account for that.
1 comment:
No one forgets what Tun Dr Mahathir did. Yeah, he puts Malaysia on the world map and he is Malaysia.
His detractors went to prison for legally valid reasons - which is why they grudgingly ADMIRED Tun even though their small hearts still keep the hatred.
They accept Tun's leadership simply because he STILL talks sense.
In his retirement age, weaklings in UMNO still carry tales about Najib so much so that he needed to verify their "tales".
Once the indications of wrongdoings are present, it becomes Tun's national battle to save Malaysia from being pawned and recolonise all over again.
So to all small minded people, the "making use of people" does not arise.
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