COMMENT | The fight is on
COMMENT | As expected, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has thrown his gauntlet into the political arena with Pejuang, the name of his new party, trumpeting that he’s ready for another bout to determine who will call the shots for the Malays.
And he’s already named a champion to carry his colours in the forthcoming Slim by-election, with Pakatan Harapan having left the field clear for this new defender of Malay rights.
It is unlikely the fight will be close in Slim, but a consequent effect has been a spate of Bersatu members quitting the party and declaring their readiness to join Pejuang in its fight...
COMMENT | As expected, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has thrown his gauntlet into the political arena with Pejuang, the name of his new party, trumpeting that he’s ready for another bout to determine who will call the shots for the Malays.
And he’s already named a champion to carry his colours in the forthcoming Slim by-election, with Pakatan Harapan having left the field clear for this new defender of Malay rights.
It is unlikely the fight will be close in Slim, but a consequent effect has been a spate of Bersatu members quitting the party and declaring their readiness to join Pejuang in its fight.
Piffling numbers were in Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin’s dismissal of party members.
“The very day they (Pejuang) announced they were forming a new political party, we (Bersatu) received 20,000 membership applications on that day alone.
“So, if six people quit Bersatu, and in exchange, we get 20,000…”
What magnetic appeal!
Hamzah substantiated the triviality of the desertions by noting that 187 divisions were holding their meetings and elections, and only 10 divisions didn’t have the numbers to hold elections.
"Sometimes, people are like empty cans, noisy on the outside, but empty on the inside. What we are doing is in silence," he added.
Nothing truer said. Bersatu has shown that it is very good at doing things on the quiet, the rakyat only finding out about it after the event.
Well, the six who left/were expelled have now multiplied to 282 ex-members, their names listed in advertisements by Bersatu in newspapers. Six to 282 is quite a jump, but what is 282 measured against 20,000 membership applications in just one day? Negligible.
Among those shown the door was Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, one of the seven founding members of Bersatu. With Akhramsyah's expulsion, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is the sole founding member left in the party.
Not quite a case of winner-takes-all. More like winner-gets-rid-of-all-the-rest. Clear the deck.
Twenty thousand people may be adding to the party’s strength every day, but Bersatu has been enduring sulky sniping from Umno warlords who feel slighted, the size of Bersatu making it vulnerable to sneers and dismissal.
So still the sniping by joining Muafakat Nasional (MN). Great, so now we have a political pact, MN, and a Perikatan Nasional government, a duplication of the same fellas.
"God willing, this unification will create political stability for our country, which will surely bring the joy of peace, harmony, and prosperity to all rakyat, regardless of their race and religious background," Muhyiddin said in a pre-recorded speech to Bersatu party members.
All-too familiar tired platitudes signifying nothing.
Bersatu’s participation in MN may have been agreed to by the leadership of Umno and PAS, but the fraternal spirit does not seem to be shared by the grassroots if the reception given to Bersatu Youth representatives at the launch of BN Youth's election machinery for the Slim by-election was any indication.
The BN supporters repeatedly booed when Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mentioned the splinter party in his speech. It was obvious no fatted calves were slaughtered for a kenduri (feast) for the prodigal sons’ return to the Umno fold.
Zahid tauntingly challenged Armada to deliver 6,000 or more votes. "If they can't attract 6,000 or 8,000 votes, we must ask, what's the value of political cooperation with them?
First a threat, then a sulk.
"Yes, we are together in the government, but don't make us unimportant (melukut di tepi gantang).
"If they want to share, share it in the real sense. We don't want to see Umno being used as a stepping stone. Please don't mess with BN and Muafakat Nasional," he said.
Doesn’t look like the sniping has ended.
And how is this for another threat? After announcing that Bersatu’s participation in MN has been agreed to in principle, BN secretary-general Annuar Musa was reported as saying: “If you follow the normal model, it has to be Umno (as the prime minister). When the time comes, perhaps tomorrow, Bersatu may give Umno the post of prime minister.”
Tomorrow? Not next month? Next year? Makes one wonder how many tomorrows Muhyiddin will have as prime minister.
I must applaud the modest humility of International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali.
Asked a question in Parliament about his achievements for the two years when he was former economic affairs minister and the 100 days since taking up his new portfolio, he listed things such as: "Becoming Miti's icon among the media." (Whatever that means. Sounds like a companion of Doraemon.)
Azmin also credits himself as being the leader of policymakers who reopened the economy during the movement control order period, leading the cabinet committee on the stimulus packages, and representing Malaysia in bilateral talks.
On his achievements when he was part of the Harapan administration, Azmin credited himself as the architect of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan.
He also credited himself for the higher profits posted by Felcra Bhd in 2019.
An impressive list. There’s obviously no need to gild the lily by mentioning his greatest achievement – having a hand in the bringing down of a government. An immense accomplishment not found in many Malaysian CVs or biographies.
THOR KAH HOONG is a veteran journalist.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
