YOURSAY | 'We should stop using such tactics to overthrow a legitimate administration.'

'Tebuk atap'? KJ reminds Harapan of Anwar's 2008 bid to topple govt

Bobbyo: Khairy Jamaluddin, what happened in 2008 should not be repeated in 2026. Fast forward 18 years, and we should be wise enough to know that move was not the right way to take over the running of a state.

We should stop using such tactics to overthrow a legitimate administration. If not, there will be no end to this nightmare of changing leaders whenever we are unhappy or power-hungry.

Instead of advising Umno politicians, you’re instigating future revolts in this nation. If not, why are you diverting attention away from the fact that Umno had a real intention to take control of the state, and that too with the help of the enemy? These revolts must stop.

If there are grievances or power-hungry politicians who have no patience to wait until elections, then they should be advised to wait and not create more problems for the state, as it already has one major situation to resolve.

Are you trying to justify Umno's move instead of respecting your coalition partner’s position?

Both sides should now try to find a solution to the problem and then wait for the 16th general election to decide who should run Negeri Sembilan.

Anyway, this has exposed the truth that Umno can never be loyal to any of its partners. It will always use or manipulate its partners to achieve its own agenda in the end.

I hope Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has awakened from his slumber and can see for himself who he is dealing with.

Instead of infighting with his own party members, he should start working towards uniting all factions within the party.

Siva1967: Dear KJ, some of us respectfully disagree with your comparison. The original practitioners of what is now termed “tebuk atap” politics were, in fact, Umno, which set the precedent for toppling democratically elected governments.

While Anwar has made various political statements over the years, history does not show any instance where he toppled a sitting government.

In contrast, Umno has a long and consistent track record of such manoeuvres.

This broader context also sheds light on earlier political decisions, such as former chief minister Lim Chong Eu’s move to bring Penang into BN, arguably in recognition of how federal influence could shape state-level outcomes.

Younger observers may not recall these events, but many of us do. These patterns are neither new nor surprising; they are consistent with what has been demonstrated before.

If Umno is genuinely concerned about the stability of the Negeri Sembilan state government, the timing of its current actions raises legitimate questions.

Would it not be more prudent to allow the Negeri Sembilan issue to be resolved without further political disruption?

At present, the actions taken appear inconsistent and difficult to justify. Public statements should aim to reassure the rakyat, not deepen uncertainty.

Chefoo: In 2008, Anwar was in the opposition, and it was justifiable to seek to take over the government then. Now, Umno is a member of the unity government.

Is it justifiable for a coalition partner to stab another member of the unity government and overthrow the state government?

But then, Umno always backstabs its partners, doesn’t it? This has happened to Perikatan Nasional. This is nothing but a betrayal - not only of the people who voted for them, but also of the very party that brought them into the state government. Get the difference.

Koel: Thanks to Khairy for reminding the nation of the sort of childish politics and arguments that Umno has frequently thrived on in the past. Please stop insulting people with this sort of immaturity. This is the kind of gaslighting of the nation that we have seen for decades.

In that case, why would the people of this country want such a childish party in power?

Instead of making arguments without merit, inform the nation and the state why a change in the state government is necessary for the welfare of the country and the people of Negeri Sembilan at this point.

Let’s give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this is not about grabbing power or possibly enriching party coffers for elections. Why, at a time when the world is facing instability and potential conflicts, are you trying to cause instability at home?

Did you have something to do with this upheaval, and is this how you prove your value to your bosses? If so, this is short-sighted immaturity.

EmEmKay: This whole “tebuk atap” spin from KJ is laughable when you remember one simple fact: BN is part of the government today on the command of His Majesty.

What BN did in Negeri Sembilan is nothing short of treason of the highest order - not just a betrayal of the voters who trusted them, but a stab in the back of the very government and coalition that brought them into power at the state level.

So, before KJ wants to lecture anyone and play historian about 2008, he should first understand the difference between a legitimate, royal-sanctioned government and a backdoor, power-hungry manoeuvre.

GrayWhale9636: Yes, some of us remember the beginning of the numbers game quite well. Of course, PKR supporters will say what happened in 2008 was different - different day, different year, different sky colour.

However, they fail to see that this started the subsequent manipulation of numbers and the so-called moves, making it an option today when it was rarely considered.

GrayParrot9290: Doing another wrong does not make it right. Change in government should only go through the ballot. Power belongs to the rakyat, not politicians. This is a misuse of the true democratic system.

Politicians are too scared to change the law due to their own self-interest.

Mcgreen: Two or three wrongs in the past do not make the present episode acceptable. This is why we need a fresh election - to avoid, in the future, parties withdrawing support and forming new alliances.

At the end of the day, voters’ wishes must be respected. This is a humble suggestion.

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