COMMENT | Harapan's risky gamble in picking Shafie
COMMENT | If Pakatan Harapan were to shout from the balcony to the millions of voters below, "who do you want as your leader?", the roar would be deafening: "Not Shafie! Not Shafie!"
The shout of disapproval is understandable. Picking Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal as the next Harapan candidate for prime minister is like plucking an unpalatable fruit for the nation's consumption.
Who is Shafie? Except for some stints in the federal government and in the Umno hierarchy (as one of its vice-presidents), he didn't come across as a bright star in the political firmament.
The nearest shot to fame was his denunciation of his former master Najib Abdul Razak for allegedly abusing public funds and his subsequent sacking from the cabinet in 2016. He again rose to prominence when he took over the reins...
COMMENT | If Pakatan Harapan were to shout from the balcony to the millions of voters below, "who do you want as your leader?", the roar would be deafening: "Not Shafie! Not Shafie!"
The shout of disapproval is understandable. Picking Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal (above) as the next Harapan candidate for prime minister is like plucking an unpalatable fruit for the nation's consumption.
Who is Shafie? Except for some stints in the federal government and in the Umno hierarchy (as one of its vice-presidents), he didn't come across as a bright star in the political firmament.
The nearest shot to fame was his denunciation of his former master Najib Abdul Razak for allegedly abusing public funds and his subsequent sacking from the cabinet in 2016. He again rose to prominence when he took over the reins of the Sabah government after Najib was toppled from power.
When Harapan fell apart, Shafie made a principled decision by not joining the Bersatu bandwagon led by the new supremo Muhyiddin Yassin. His refusal to desert Harapan was admirable, but it is not enough to make him stand out as prime ministerial material.
But a nonagenarian leader saw in Shafie the ideal candidate for the nation's top post simply because Shafie was one of the "original leaders" in the struggle against Najib. Dr Mahathir Mohamad had no other stronger reason to advance Shafie's candidacy.
Dumping Shafie onto the people as the man for Putrajaya is not going to go down well with the discerning voters. Malaysians can no longer be led by the nose nor would they blindly follow a Pied Piper down the trail to nowhere.
When Shafie's hat was tossed into the ring, it was greeted with dismay and loud groans. Can this be the man of the moment? Does he really have in him all the requisite qualities to be the most powerful man in the country? Can he truly be his own man once he is in the driver's seat?
Looking at the anointed one from all angles, it is simply impossible to rally to Shafie. Charisma, character, personality, magnetism, an appealing presence - all these are sorely missing from the Warisan leader. He comes across as just a plain man without the pull of a visionary.
The choice of Shafie is a symptom of a deeper malaise in Harapan. Now wrecked by infighting, the coalition no longer has an outstanding general who can lead his army to the battlefield against a resurgent Umno-PAS alliance.
Mahathir, the indefatigable warrior, has already removed his armour and handed it to Shafie. He cannot be considered a serious contender again because his mortal foe is age.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is too controversial a figure to be a stabilising and centripetal force in Harapan or for the country. He would only reopen old wounds and court intense flak from enemies inside and outside his party. Combatting his adversaries alone would consume all his time and energy.
Then, there is Mukhriz Mahathir, a weak leader whose only advantage is his father's name. His political career only thrives in the reflected rays of his old man. He is unable to provide an intellectual spark of his own that will drive the country and people forward.
So, in disarray over the choice of a suitable candidate, the focus shifts to Shafie, considered the least controversial. If this is all Harapan can offer to the country, it is entertaining an "extravagant dream" of reclaiming the high ground.
Malaysians do not see in Shafie the convincing answer to a bright future, and want a better candidate. Although time is running out, Harapan must release another credible leader to the millions waiting below the balcony.
Otherwise, it is staring at defeat, with no hope of ever again occupying the "political mountaintop".
PHLIP RODRIGUES is a retired journalist.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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