Between sodomy and murder
COMMENT The late English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley once remarked, "There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception."
And it is behind these doors that Malaysian politics lies battered and bruised. Make no mistake, politics is all about perception.
The master of which is a doctor, who discarded his stethoscope for an infamous career in politics, which saw him remove numerous rivals with surgical precision, none more famous than Anwar Ibrahim.
Unlike the rest, the latter had refused to die after the operation.
In 1998, Dr Mahathir Mohamad planted the notion that his heir-turned-nemesis, who was regarded as a pious Muslim, indulged in carnal practices that defiled the order of nature, religion and law.
He was unceremoniously shown the exit.
But Anwar wasted little time. He did not retreat to a corner to lick his wounds. He denied the allegation, claimed to be a victim of political vendetta and took to the streets in protest.
Whether or not Anwar committed the offence was secondary since the primary political objective of making the matter public more than a decade ago was to cast a negative light on the former deputy premier.
And now Mahathir has brought out his scalpel once again, which he employs in a manner than runs contrary to the Hippocratic oath.
With one deft incision, he has placed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's ailing reputation in intensive care.
The police chief was correct in his assessment that Mahathir did not breach sedition laws, for he had sought an investigation to determine who ordered Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder and did not accuse Najib of having a hand in it.
Similar calls were made by others, including the opposition, ever since Sirul Azhar Umar revealed that he took orders from his superiors in a case where motive was never established.
Once again, it is immaterial to the protagonist as to whether the truth would surface or an investigation carried out, the objective is to insinuate that Najib had something to do with the case.
Should the latter step down, expect the file to be closed once again.
Blood trail
Speculation of a blood trail leading to Najib's doorstep had been making the rounds since 2006 despite the police clearing him.
When the opposition raises this issue, Umno grassroots and supporters are quick to dismiss it as nothing more than political slander.
But when Mahathir touches the subject, the Pandora's box is opened and Umno is rattled from top to bottom.
One is now forced to wrestle with his or her conscience. Compared to sodomy, murder - and that too of an innocent woman - is of a different scale.
This was the agenda.
Since his earlier criticism of Najib over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal failed to gain traction in Umno, Mahathir has chosen to play the trump card.
And the prime minister’s continued silence is making the situation worse for himself.
If he does not make a strong stand, Najib risks witnessing the court of Umno opinion finding him culpable.
Mahathir too is treading on the peripheries of disaster for making such statements in the pretext of saving Umno and BN from defeat in the next general election.
The result of his quest could be the exact opposite as voters weigh the perception of the two alleged crimes.
RK ANAND is a member of the Malaysiakini team.
For more news and views that matter, subscribe and support independent media for only RM0.36 sen a day:
Subscribe now