LETTER | First of all, my mental faculty and memory are still functioning very well. All things considered, I have been blessed to be able to think and rationalise objectively, without fear or favour, and with no ulterior motive as I have retired from active politics and I am not after any position, in government or otherwise.

Secondly, before you (Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng) accuse me of suffering from amnesia, I would strongly advise you not to be delusional. Just look around you and see what happened to your comrades who are delusional.

It is a fact that since GE13, the support of the non-Malays to the coalition partners had drastically gone down. I remember clearly telling the former PM that the coalition partners would not be able to regain the support of their communities from my engagements with people from Chinese and Indian ethnicity where they all agreed that MCA, Gerakan as well as MIC are but a chapter in history.

It's only when you accept the truth that you will be able to apply appropriate remedies. When you keep convincing yourself to see all beds of roses on the fields filled of thorns, you will only hurt yourself and worst still, you may just cry tears of blood. Again, do yourself a favour - bite the bullet, smell the coffee and get your act together to be a meaningful and credible opposition.

About my term in Spad, I had served the organisation faithfully and professionally for seven years until my term expired. I was not removed.

I left Spad with the feeling of satisfaction as we, Spad people, worked tirelessly to build Spad, despite the obstacles and criticisms thrown at us, and successfully managed to implement all the initiatives that were set before us. So, no, I did not hold and do not hold any grudges against anyone. I did my job professionally and to the best of my abilities.

I had been an Umno/BN man all my life until I realised that BN can no longer carry the mandate people entrusted them with. BN continued failures to address various abuses, financial scandals like 1MDB and its utter disregard for law and order were the last straw that broke the camel’s back and drove me to support Pakatan Harapan led by Tun Mahathir (Mohamad).

Painful as it may be, but truth be known, I am more painfully disillusioned with the attitude of BN leaders in bulldozing many things at their own whims and fancies like bringing the Anti-Fake News law with very little debate and the delineation exercise brought at the last minute, votes buying and promises of grandeur when the reality was the complete opposite.

Finally, look at yourself in the mirror if you want to regain support. This attitude of rejecting hard criticisms even after defeat would not bring reawakening. Being delusional is a dangerous thing especially if you are in a leadership position. Don’t be emotional and do not be angry. I have completely retired from active politics but that does not mean I should refrain from giving my views as I deem fit.

May the Almighty bless Malaysia always.

The writer is former home minister and former chairperson of Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.