Who’s telling the truth on Memali-gate?
YOURSAY ‘Former DPM Musa Hitam, my question to you is why only now?’
Musa: Dr M was in KL during Memali incident
Swipenter:
Dr Mahathir Mohamad got away with this lie until now but he (and Umno Baru-BN) learn very quickly that lying can work to his (or their) advantage.
Do you remember during his time as PM, many times Mahathir was overseas when Bolehland was going to implement or facing a hard/unpopular decision?
He learn very quickly from the Memali incident that lying can absolve him from responsibility and accountability. It is a mark of a devious leader, not a mark of a good leader.
Now you see why the Umno Baru government and BN politicians are so prone to lying. This lying, as well as the cover-up culture, has also rubbed off on heads and departmental heads of government organs and institutions.
MH370 incident is the latest manifestation of this lying/cover-up culture but with one difference; they are not only dealing with us alone but with the international community and the latter can't be bullied or brush aside easily.
Awakened: Musa Hitam, you were the home minister during the Memali incident. Are you suggesting that the Memali incident is without your knowledge and approval and was strictly the work of the IGP (inspector-general of police)?
Are you trying to imply that the PM overruled you? Expect Dr M to deny his involvement in the same way he denied he ordered Operasi Lalang in 1987.
Pputeh: Musa, my question to you is why only now? Did Mahathir have a 'hold' on you? Was there an agreement and a time frame. I find this mind-boggling.
Musa, I had always admired you for being a man of principle, but my question is: Is this revelation to ease your conscience before you meet your Creator. I wonder what other secrets will be told about this evil man.
Ferdtan: The mainstream media and every Malaysians got the impression that PM was overseas in China when he was not. It was the most cunning and vicious of any boss to put all blame to his deputy when it should be a shared responsibility.
The police was handled by the then IGP, Haniff Omar; therefore he should be directly responsible for the action of his men. But he escaped unscarred; even earning the accolade of Tunship. And yes, Musa Hitam, who was the home minister, should be held responsible too.
As to the head of the government - as prime minister then, shouldn’t Mahathir be blamed and take responsibility as well?
But no, somehow the whole BN government and government service agencies all colluded to hide the fact, a lie that Mahathir was not in the country; thus absolving him of any responsibility.
As forum moderator Mohammad Agus Yusof aptly exclaimed: "Oh my God" - yes, we have lived with this conspiracy of silence, a lie actually, for almost 29 years.
It is a ‘Memali-gate’ scandal of our own with all the cover-up of Mahathir’s presence that may implicate him indirectly.
Pputeh, you ask, “Musa, why only now?” Fear - and it is very real. Whoever opposed Mahathir would suffer great consequences, losing positions, wealth and even liberty like Anwar Ibrahim.
Umno now has effectively adopted such tactics, putting fear in anyone - from civil servants, judiciary, police, and army personnel to even ordinary citizens who were brave enough to expose any crimes committed by BN, especially Umno leaders.
The message made was very clear; it is dangerous to take on them. It is a fact that, no matter how good Musa Hitam was as a politician, he had no guts to continue to even fight to clear his name, especially against Mahathir.
He just resigned from politics and enjoyed the good life as Umno veteran with appointment as Sime Darby chairman.
Even Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was brought down to his knees after challenging Mahathir before. That is why as individual Anwar Ibrahim stands out and that included many others in PAS, DAP and the many socialist leaders of the past, who never gave up the fight/struggle despite of much hardship and sufferings.
One typical example was the former PKR deputy president, once a socialist, Syed Husin Ali who was under ISA for eight years and yet he never gave up his fight against BN without thinking of easy life.
One more, when ex-Umno Wanita leader, Marina Yusoff chose to fight Umno, see what happened? She got all her bank loans (who instructed the banks?) recalled back and she lost her Marinara Building to Dananharta Hartanah Sdn Bhd.
So who would not be afraid of Umno - unless you are willing to sacrifice yourself? Fear and bullying are part of Umno culture.
In an interview, given by Musa Hitam he said that when he had ‘resigned’, no one from Umno dared to be seen with him. It was reality; that fear and discrimination were the reasons why no one was eager to go against Umno, especially a vindictive Mahathir.
Negarawan: The whole Memali incident was mismanaged by Umno. If Umno had practised some patience and negotiation skills, the human loss could have been prevented.
Mahathir is a ruthless dictator, and he does not respect human lives and human rights. The cruel injustice and persecutions he inflicted on his political opponents like Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, and many others will one day bounce back on him for sure. Many will celebrate his demise as the end of a dark era in Malaysia.
Hmmmmmmmm: This is why people like Anwar is much revered in this country for standing up to Mahathir. He has suffered and is still suffering the consequences for his stand.
Musa Hitam would most likely have suffered the same fate too had he spilled the beans at that time.
SultanMydin: We better pray that Dr M live long enough so that he could be brought to justice and face the music when Umno Baru which he created is wiped out from the face of this earth when Pakatan Rakyat march into Putrajaya.
Fourtan: Lies. Lies. Lies. All lies. A nation built on lies will convulse one day.
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