Q&A: Pak Lah needs a back-up team
Musa Hitam can be regarded as one of the few survivors of Malaysian politics. History will remember him as the first of several deputies under Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for whom the top post proved elusive.
But Musa is still one up on the rest. A respected statesman at home and abroad, he has become a mentor to many political hopefuls today, including Mahathir's designated successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He responds to malaysiakini 's questions about 'the Badawi factor' and its implications for Malaysia's future.
Malaysiakini: You have mentioned before that people pay 'too much' attention to what you say. Do you think it could be because they still wonder if you intend to re-enter politics?
Musa Hitam
: In a way it is a reflection of my frustrations that, in spite of the fact that I had claimed to retire and indeed have retired without any move or indication whatsoever that I was coming back, very few believe me.It irritates and insults me because they categorise me as just another politician but I have proven (myself) for so many years - since 1986. In 1987, there was a patch of uncertainty but after that, I have not made any moves. I do not even accept invitations from Umno to address them. At worse or at best, I would appear and sit down just to grace the occasion.
In a way, it is a compliment that they pay attention to me. But the speculation is quite frustrating. (It is not a problem) if they pay attention based on the value of what I have to say but no, with every statement I make, they say, there you are Musa, attempting to come back. This happens continuously.
I do wish that people would take my statements in good faith because they come from a person who has gone through so much and genuinely wants to contribute, rather than from a person with an ulterior motive.
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