I am utterly amused to see so many in the opposition who are so deluded as to think Mahathir Mohamad is a nationalist who sincerely hopes to save Malaysia from Najib Abdul Razak’s blatantly corrupt and increasingly arbitrary rule. In Malaysia, political amnesia truly plays out in perplexing ways in the actions of politicians who once vowed to revive and rejuvenate public institutions severely damaged by Mahathir and inherited by Najib.

Let’s be very clear - Mahathir has never been interested in saving the country, for his not-so-hidden agenda has remained the same throughout, that is to maintain his political influence, play the role of a backseat driver, and ensure that his not-so-bright son Mukhriz Mahathir would ascend to the throne of prime minister sooner rather than later.

Barely three years ago, Mahathir went around the country campaigning for Umno in the face of a united opposition. He knew there was a strong likelihood that, with Anwar Ibrahim leading the alternative front and providing a cohesive leadership, Barisan Nasional could be defeated and there would go his dreams of sustaining the Mahathir dynasty.