newsmaker n. One whose actions consistently make news headlines, who effects the course of public discourse and creates an impact in Malaysian politics, for better or worse.

Another year draws to an end and the time has come, in accordance with tradition, to present the Malaysiakini Newsmaker of the Year award. It has been an eventful 2005 for the nation and to decide on a champion among champions was no mean feat.

After hours of hair-splitting debate and countless cups of coffee, the judges comprising the editorial team agreed that the ‘Approved Permits Chronicles’ had been the greatest crowd puller.

However, it was almost upstaged by the low budget X-rated thriller ‘Nude Squats’ - the maiden venture of PJ Police Productions, done in collaboration with DAP.

The AP Chronicles, on the other hand, was a magnum opus , took months to complete, and its cost reportedly running into the billions. It also boasted a star-studded cast. There were sterling performances from many veterans such as Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who also directed the saga, Rafidah Aziz and Lim Kit Siang.

Not since 1998's critically-acclaimed ‘Fall of Anwar Ibrahim’ - also directed by Mahathir - has any other political drama generated so much interest. Many even wondered if this was a sequel.

Also getting the thumbs-up for their performances in the Chronicles were debutantes Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, Shahrir Samad, Bung Moktar Radin and Mohamed Aziz.

This year’s box-office hit also featured, among others, the clean-cut and soft-spoken Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a cameo role, whose performance - according to some critics - failed to make the grade.

Since it was virtually impossible to choose a single individual for the award, the judges decided - for the first time in the award’s five-year history - on two winners.

So without further ado, the Malaysiakini 2005 Newsmaker of the Year Award goes to...

Mahathir and Rafidah for their unforgettable tango in the epic ‘Chronicles of the AP: The Lion (from Protonia), The Wheels and The Cabinet’.

Here’s the three-part synopsis of the Chronicles.

Episode I

Mahathir, the sharp-witted and razor-tongued advisor for national carmaker Proton opens the can of worms.

In June, he sets off alarms by accusing the government - namely ‘Iron Lady’ Rafidah’s International Trade and Industry Ministry - of protecting foreign cars at the expense of local ones.

Apparently, he is irked by a free-trade deal with Japan , which will allow cars from the Land of the Rising Sun to be sold here sans tariffs soon, making life particularly difficult for Proton.

He also complains of discrepancies in the issuance of these permits and calls on the government to release the list of its recipients.

However, the government balks and an irate Rafidah flays journalists when bombarded with questions regarding this.

Enter parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, his son DAP secretary-general Guan Eng and PAS leaders .

In what would have been an unimaginable feat several few years ago, they form an unlikely alliance with Mahathir and demand that the AP list be released and urge the Anti-Corruption Agency to probe the case.

The cabinet then orders Rafidah to answer the queries raised by her former boss and the veteran minister sends an explanation letter to Mahathir.

Caught in the middle of the epic battle is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He denies rumours that Rafidah’s head will roll for the scandal.

Episode II

On July 18, the Prime Minister’s Office rather suddenly releases the AP list . It is revealed that four people had received more than 25,000 permits to import luxury cars over the last three years.

The nation is in uproar.

The million-ringgit quartet comprises Nasimuddin SM Amin, Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Mohd Haniff Abdul Aziz and Azzuddin Ahmad Immediately, Rafidah is assailed and many call for her resignation. Others tell her to apologise to Mahathir. The minister is reduced to tears .

But Rafidah is not called the Iron Lady for nothing. She bounces back later and denies that she would step down, saying this is for the prime minister to decide.

Soon after, her attempt to explain the scandal to fellow Umno members is greeted with jeers and heckles . Her future seems bleak. Not only is the opposition baying for her blood so are her comrades.

A few days later, Mahathir drops another bomb and accuses Rafidah of misleading the Umno delegates. He also defends his sanity.

This leads a weary Abdullah to remark ‘OK, publish all’ while his deputy adds that Rafidah will be asked to explain the latest development to the cabinet.

At this point, even Anwar Ibrahim joins in and predicts an unceremonious end to Rafidah’s two-decade-long political career.

In August, it is revealed that the ACA has begun investigating the case while Rafidah continues to jet-set and remain absent from Parliament, much to the chagrin of its members.

On Aug 31, there is a shocking twist to the plot. During the Merdeka Day celebrations, Rafidah lunges towards an unsuspecting Mahathir and locks the 80-year-old former premier in a tight embrace. The scene makes headlines the next day.

The nation gasps in shock. Have they made up? Will the issue be forgotten? Hardly, for Mahathir is not one to become weak in the knees by such sentiments.

Episode III

In September, Rafidah turns the table. In a written reply to opposition leader Lim, who by that time finds himself on the defensive after being accused of having sold an AP, reveals that 337 MPs had been issued with the permits.

Lim is not on the list. But those on it, see red .

Lim then censures Rafidah for not attending Parliament in a stinging statement . The cabinet then instructs the minister to explain the scandal to the members of the August House.

However, her much anticipated appearance on Oct 4 turns out be a tame affair except for her clash with Lim, whom she calls a ‘jester’ and threatens to sue. Two days later, she tells him to jump into a lake. But the opposition leader claims there is more to this than what meets the eye.

Despite her 45-minute explanation in Parliament, its members still left the House confused about the issue.

The end?

Also dissatisfied is Mahathir, who criticises the MPs for not pushing the right buttons. He tells the government not to cover-up the scandal.

The Abdullah administration, which later unveils an ‘unconvincing’ National Automotive Plan, sidesteps the crisis and dismisses the three episodes as a ‘personal’ matter between Mahathir and Rafidah.

This irks DAP, who insists that it is a public matter .

Two months have passed in relative silence but the grapevine has not ruled out the possibility of a sequel - Episode IV - next year.

As for Abdullah, we are left pondering with this tantalising question - will the Force be with him or will he join the Dark Side? Stay tuned.

Previous newmakers

2004 Newsmaker of the Year

2003 Newsmaker of the Year

2002 Newsmaker of the Year

2001 Newsmaker of the Year