On Dr M seeks support to give PM the boot

G Krishnan: Mahathir, always prone to being self-congratulatory, expects us to believe that "if the opposition wins, that would destroy the country".

Well, suffice it to say, we’ve had 22 years of experience under his dictatorial reign and half a century of Umno’s racist politics for getting us into this mess. So, at least from where I stand, the return of Anwar and the growing appeal of the Opposition is the best thing that’s happened to my country since its independence. And it would be one of the greatest achievements for the people of Malaysia if the opposition actually manages to knock-off the Umno-BN regime.

Badawi, a supposed prime minister for all Malaysians, could never find himself – let alone lead us where we needed to go. Imagine all the goodwill, anticipation, expectations, and potential to turn the corner from political decay of the Mahathir years. And Badawi had it all but squandered it.

Mired and entrapped by the racist doctrine and logic of Ketuanan Melayu , Badawi became a victim of his own complacency and inaptitude, in the process, exposing the reality that Umno-BN had become morally and politically bankrupt – lacking in vision, direction and leadership about how to truly take the country forward in the new millennium.

He is unable to appreciate the fact that Malaysia and Malaysians have progressed in significant ways. Specifically, the Umno-BN establishment – trapped in its own web of divisive and ‘gutter politics,’ has been incapable of recognising that our horizons, our hopes and our dreams have become deeply rooted in forging a democratic Malaysia.

This fact was borne out most recently in the Permatang Pauh by-election. Yes, Umno-BN has long lost its shine, but only because it is incapable of being anything other than what it was over a generation ago. And that reality will not change. It is a prisoner of its own logic: a racist logic.

Which brings me to Najib. Ask yourself, ‘what exactly would Najib give us that would transform the country and enable us to transcend the racism of Umno-BN?’ Again, I would ask you to look closely at the Permatang Pauh experience, including Najib’s so-called stewardship of the BN campaign there and the thundering silence in condemning Ahmad Ismail for his racist remarks during the campaign. Herein are all the hallmarks of a Najib-led regime: the same snake oil in a newly labelled bottle, that’s what it’ll be.

Meng: Mahathir calls on Umno and BN grassroots to make a concerted effort to oust Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in order to save Barisan Nasional. Unfortunately, as I observed in Permatang Pauh, there is no more grassroot support in BN, especially for Umno.

There are only many hungry vultures and I am not talking about ghosts in this 7th month. The hungry vultures are the strong BN supporters who have been rasied by the BN leadership over the last 25 years and who circle Putrajaya for projects and handouts. These are the avid BN supporters. These are the only ones who are left.

The ordinary Malaysians in kampungs and cities have now left the political party that has neglected them. Land issues that have been politicised over the last 20 years have suddenly been resolved in Perak, Chinese school issues used as bait by MCA do not work anymore and the promise of money and new roads are useless as we are smarter. In the meantime, our Hindraf brothers and many others are still in detention under ISA.

Despite a few remnants of hardcore supporters, Mahathir’s call is a resounding echo in a very empty room.

Ken: Dr Mahathir appears devastated. Based on his prognosis, BN and Umno are doomed. For BN to survive, Umno needs to become strong again. This is not going to happen with Badawi, Najib, Razaleigh, Muhyddin, Hishamudin, Khairy or anyone in the current Umno leadership. No one in the current leadership has the capability, political acumen and imagination to even lead a healthy Umno, leave alone a dying one.

Umno needs a truly strong leader for it to recover and continue to rule Malaysia. There is only one person in the world who fits this call - Mahathir. He will not be able to achieve much through blogging and complaining on the side lines because he is outside Umno and has no direct control or power.

He has to get into the thick of things and sort out the problems affecting Umno. He can’t make change by being outside Umno and blogging on the Internet. He needs to be back in Umno. He needs to become the strong leader, he once was.

He has to do this now as Anwar is on the threshold of becoming the next PM and sending Umno, Mahathir, Badawi and others into oblivion. How can he do this? Through a by-election like how Anwar did recently.

Just like how Wan Azizah vacated the Permatang Pauh seat for Anwar, Mukhriz should vacate his Jerlun parliamentary seat for his father to contest and be back in Parliament to resume the leadership of Umno and BN.

There is absolutely no doubt that Mahathir will win any by-election in his old constituency, just like Anwar did in Permatang Pauh. In fact, given his stature, experience, influence and the strong support he is receiving from Umno members who are unhappy with Badawi, Mahathir should not only be able repeat Anwar’s recent huge victory but also ace it in Jerlun.

Such a strong win by Mahathir will help to neutralise, if not overshadow, Anwar’s big win to bring back support for Umno and revive the dying party. With such a strong madate from Jerlun, Mahathir can rightfully resume the premiership once again, restore BN/Umno's rule and hand over the premiership in a few years' time to someone in whom he has full trust.

Tun, are you bold enough to take up this challenge or are you just going to sit around and blog like me and thousands of other ordinary Malaysians with little influence and no power?

Jegatheeswaran Manoharan: It is rather confusing to read Mahathir’s comment: "People deserve the government they get. If they get a bad government, it is because they are unwilling to fight against it, unwilling to take any risk."

Doesn’t he realise that this fear is not something that started in 2003 or 2004. This was a fear that has been instilled is the hearts and minds of the people long before Abdullah could even smell the air of Putrajaya.

I wonder who was the prime minister then. Who banished the power of the Agong, who used the judiciary system for their own good, who made sure students remained fearful of the dreaded AUKU, who taught the local media to park their brains when reporting about the government, the list is indeed endless.

Maybe if we can find the culprit who started or continued this culture for 20 over years, then we can do something to save this country.

Therefore, unless Mahathir can openly apologise for all the misdeeds during his 20-odd year rule, I suggest he refrains from making silly comments.

R Kam: The culprit is Dr M. He is the one who messed up the economy. If Dr M was currently prime minister, he would be facing the same predicament as Abdullah Badawi.

We are an oil-producing nation and yet many countries that do not produce oil are in a better state than us. Why is this? I would put the blame squarely on Dr M and his mismanagement of the economy during his tenure. Poor Abdullah is paying the price of his predecessor’s mistakes.

On 'Expect more than 40 to defect'

Tim Finian: BN MPs thinking of jumping ship should stop procrastinating. Big, may be your ship but it is tilting and taking in water fast and here's more bad news. Only limited lifeboats aboard and they've all been booked by the fat-cats in Putrajaya. Sorry. They thought it was unsinkable hence the low priority on lifeboats.

The HMS PKR has finally docked alongside and here's your ‘last-chance-saloon’. Jump or forever perish in the deep blue (pun intended) waters.

Don’t worry too much about your captain because he, his sidekick and their hangers-on have all made business-class bookings on their lifeboats for a one-way ticket to their little island in the sun.

JK: Anwar Ibrahim has been a leader from birth. Regardless of all the hardships he has had to fight through to survive, no one can rob this man of his destiny. Many doubted he could survive a harsh 10 years in the political wilderness. But we must always remember that the truth will prevail.

We also can no longer deny the fact that BN MPs are waiting to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat. After the March general election and the Permatang Pauh by-election, Malaysians have displayed a high level of political maturity. We must now use this maturity to understand and encourage a peaceful transition from BN to Pakatan. There is no need to be afraid of change. Change is imminent and we as rational-thinking Malaysians must embrace it.

Anwar has earned a place at the helm of the country with perseverance, determination, dedication, responsibility and honesty. Let’s give the man a chance.

MySecret62: We have this scenario where MPs are needed to cross over in order for a new Pakatan Rakyat government to be formed.

The existing government, based along racial lines, will in all probability lose some, if not all, of its main component allies. I believe it has come to a point where, we the rakyat have to cut through all the politics of who is fit to govern and embark on the task of assisting BN to drop its racial overtones to be a true multiracial party.

I will be the first to cast a strategic vote for BN if that is what it takes to ensure good governance.

Yee: The question is if the BN was to call a snap election today, providing they get the approval of the Agung, will they win back what they lost? I think the real question is will they lose more than they already have? I think it is a known fact that after March 8, there were many who thought perhaps the rakyat had gone too far in teaching the BN a lesson. Perhaps losing 5 states was a bit too much.

However, following March 8, the government and BN leaders continue to reveal their arrogance and racist nature. Many are really fed up with the abuse of government machinery to perpetuate their political agenda. Many grassroots, I believe, have already left the Barsian Nasional. It is nothing but a hollow core.

So it only makes sense to push ahead with Sept 16 so that this country will continue to function and make some plans in light of a looming recession.

Hakim Omar: Anwar Ibrahim has effectively showcased himself to be the best qualified leader to lead Malaysia out of this economic and political quagmire.

I reached this conclusion after witnessing how he triumphed over numerous challenges and obstacles put before him in 2008. Anwar is clearly gifted. He possesses great vision, inspirational leadership, high intelligence and tenacity. I do not see any other Malaysian leader in this day and age that can match him.

So, I would like to issue a clarion call to all our MPs who are still undecided - strengthen your resolve, summon up the courage and cross over. Your sacrifice for a new Malaysia will earn you a place in history. Just as the voters of Permatang Pauh have.

Bexe: Anyone with any intelligence will see that BN and all its respective component parties is dead. They have been on a journey of self-destruction for some time. So why waste our effort to save it? What can be done to save this party? Nothing. Why would you even want to?

For those who wish to jump, please jump to Pakatan Rakyat only if you can leave behind all your evil thoughts and evil ways. Jump with good intentions - intentions that are noble - to change the bad old ways and adopt new, ethical ways of doing business, all for the betterment of the country and its people.

To use the much adopted parlance, "Its not about you, its all about us".

In accepting those who decide to cross over, I hope Pakatan will adopt a well laid out standard of ethics and practice to which these people need to swear to. We certainly don't want mutton dressed up as lamb.

This is the only way to achieve rebirth.