Umno Baru division leader Jamal Md Yunos is itching for a head-on collision with the gathering mooted by Bersih 2.0, following the announcement by the American Department of Justice (DOJ) about 1MDB. He has urged Malaysians to hit the streets and defend their government, just like the Turkish people defended President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan’s alleged abuse of power, profligacy, and highly-rewarded family members and cronies are is well-known, but has the red shirt leader ignored the other aspects of Erdogan’s rule?

Strategic ally. Like Turkey, the west treats Malaysia with kid gloves. Malaysia, with its supposed moderate version of Islam, is critical in the west’s dealings with more intolerant Muslim nations like Iran. Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, whilst our location in the Straits of Malacca puts us in an ideal location to deal with China, which is flexing its muscles economically, politically and on the high seas.