COMMENT Charlie Chaplin once said: "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up but a comedy in long-shot."            

 

This is similar to bloopers that depict hilarious incidents accompanied by rib-tickling narratives and musical scores.

 

For the audience and narrator - it is the long-shot. But to the individuals involved in these misadventures - it is the close-up.

 

It seems that Nazir Razak ( left ) has been viewing his brother's political conundrum from a distant vantage point and this apparently motivated him to post an image of Michael Jackson with the title of his hit number 'You Are Not Alone' on Instagram.

 

Those close-up wondered if there was a subtle political message but Nazir dismissed it as nothing more than a "lighthearted" move.

 

Perhaps we have spent too much time over the past few weeks watching the tussles and imbroglios troubling both coalitions - BN and Pakatan Rakyat - from up close?

 

Perhaps we should take a few steps back and follow Nazir's lead to take a "lighthearted" approach to the ongoing saga between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Najib Abdul Razak.

Here's the feud between the two, according to Michael Jackson's hit songs.

 

April 2. Mahathir drops a bombshell on Najib.

 

The former prime minister bluntly told the current prime minister to 'Beat It'. This is perhaps Mahathir's second most favourite song after Frank Sinatra's 'I Did It My Way'.

 

When Malaysians read the explosive news, they knew another 'Thriller' was in store and Mahathir did not disappoint them.

 

Mahathir has since raised a slew of issues which included the motive behind the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

This was interpreted as hinting at Najib's involvement despite the police clearing him and him swearing his innocence in the name of God.

 

The matter could no longer be ignored. Najib appeared on national television to once again croon 'Billie Jean Is Not My Lover'.

 

Those who criticised Mahathir for his selective amnesia and holier-than-thou attitude despite a long list of allegations against him had urged the former premier to indulge in self-reflection and listen to the hit 'Man In The Mirror'.

 

Mahathir soon complained of loneliness in his pursuit of the truth.

 

This prompted the likes of local pop diva Siti Nurhaliza and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin to sing a duet version of 'You Are Not Alone'.

 

And this was where Nazir caused a stir with his Instagram posting.

 

Observers wondered if he was mocking those who lent their support to Mahathir or if he was expressing solidarity with the former premier given that reports had emerged pointing to a rift between Najib and his brothers.

 

'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'

 

But despite being 'alone', Mahathir continued the tirade.

 

He zoomed in on the unaccounted funds with regard to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the firm's questionable transactions with 'Smooth Criminal' blaring from the 'speakers' of public perception.

 

Even Lim Kit Siang rendered 'It Don't Matter If You're Black or White' and extended an olive branch to Mahathir.

 

He offered to set aside differences with his decades-old foe to save Malaysia. But this however earned him brickbats.

 

Mahathir is not interested in saving Malaysia.

 

He wants to save Umno and prevent many people - and perhaps himself and his cronies - from landing in prison should the opposition embark on a witch-hunt if it seizes federal power.

 

Lim's offer was spurned as Mahathir retorted, 'Because I'm bad, I'm bad.'

 

Since the battle has shown no signs of dissipating, loyalists, apple polishers and opportunists have come out in droves - some even summoned from their political tombs - to sing Live Aid-style 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' to both Mahathir and Najib.

 

There are also those attempting to broker a truce and calling on the warring duo to join hands and serenade Umno with 'Heal the World'.

 

As predicted, the rock hit 'Dirty Diana' rang out as Mahathir targeted the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor when he questioned the couple's extravagant spending.

 

Given the nature of this political predator, Mahathir would not cease until what he desires is achieved as he taps his feet to the tune of 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'.

 

So would Najib and Rosmah survive as the octogenarian 'moonwalks' all over them as he has done to numerous others before? Or would there be 'Blood on the Dance Floor' again?

 

And somewhere out there, Najib's predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is grinning and resisting the temptation for a nap as he listens to 'Remember the Time'.

 

A tragicomedy in motion

 

Michael Jackson's hits aside - and may the King of Pop rest in peace and not roll over in his grave on account of these characters - the political imbroglio in Malaysia is indeed a tragicomedy.

 

It is comical to note that Mahathir has recycled the same script several times and tragic to see the nation being destroyed by unscrupulous and power-crazed politicians in the game of thrones.

 

After being in power for more than five decades and the baton of leadership having been passed from grandfather to father to son, BN is no longer the ruling coalition of a democratic nation but a political dynasty sculpted along feudal lines.

 

And Putrajaya is not the administrative capital but the fiefdom of these lords.

 

The current scenario in the opposition bloc is just as ponderous as a war is being fought between the technocrats and secularists. Those chaps are singing the blues. Thus it's a tragicomedy here as well.

 

While the majority of the Malaysian electorate - as shown in the results of the last polls - have no qualms in putting an end to the existing government, the government-in-waiting however seems intent on committing suicide.

 

But sigh not, for Charlie Chaplin had also said: "The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish."

 

History has proven that it is the people and not politicians who have the last laugh.

 

RK Anand is a member of the Malaysiakini team.