Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision to quit as prime minister next March has been greeted with mixed feelings in Penang. Although some welcomed the change a new leader would bring, they also expressed fear that the new prime minister would not be as ‘liberal’ as Abdullah.

arif shah omar shah Seberang Jaya assemblyp erson Ariff Shah Omar Shah was optimistic that the leadership change would brin g much desired positive change to the country’s leadership and restore public confidence in the government.

Contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday, Arif expressed sadness over the imminent departure of the Penang-born premier but added that the new leadership would boost the image of the coalition and improve its chances in future elections.

“Abdullah has made up his mind to pave way for a change at the top and that would definitely have pros and cons.

“But I am just a loyal Umno member and can only sit and watch," said the Sri Kalui Umno branch leader, who was trashed by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh by-election in August.

Arif also does not believe that Abdullah’s exit will trigger a power tussle in Umno, which has ruled the country since independence. “Umno is made up of matured politicians who do not want to see the party split,” he said.

Mammoth task ahead

Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, however, cautioned that the premier’s exit has only partially relieved the country’s problems, saying that the new leadership faces a mammoth task in getting the country back to its feet.

“It may have resolved Umno’s leadership saga, but not the people’s problems,” he said, adding that political uncertainty is still looming large between now and Abdullah’s March retirement dateline.

He said Umno and BN leaders have their hands full in rejuvenating the ruling party’s dwindling fortunes, restoring public confide nce and invigorating the business climate in the country.

“With the right policies and strategies, BN can lure more supporters and halt Anwar’s charge to Putrajaya,” said the senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences. Sivamurugan also predicted that the new government may likely blend Abdullah’s liberal approach with his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s authoritarian style of leadership.

ong boon keong Meanwhile, Penang Watch co-ordinator BK Ong said Abdullah’s exit merely added another unceremonious departure of an Umno president who succumbed to pressure exerted by internal rivalry.

Despite his shortcomings, he said Abdullah relaxed media control, allowed more democratic space and attempted to address bureaucratic red-tape and corruption.

“Indeed for the first time, the country has a prime minister who did not deliver any race-based speeches,” he said.

Ong, however, hoped Abdullah’s decision to quit would not set back democratisation efforts he had initiated and allow his successor to resort to repressive laws and high-handed tactics to halt political opponents.

Fears of the new guy?

Hindu Action Network chief co-ordinator G Mugunthan called on Abdullah to make full use of his remaining months to implement more democratic reforms, abolish the Internal Security Act, release all ISA detainees and restore the independence of the judiciary.

He claimed many feared that the new man to helm Putrajaya would revive the repressive and authoritarian regime Malaysians had to endure before Abdullah came to power.

Although he would have preferred Abdullah to defend his Umno presidency, United Hindu Religious Council deputy president AK Suppiah said the premier had decided to put party interests above his own.

After the 1987 bitter Umno presidential election, he said the leadership had successfully instilled fear among members that the party would split if the top post was opened to contest.

However, he expressed caution that the new leadership may dismantle Abdullah’s democratisation policies.

“Perhaps it’s time for Anwar to stake his claim of the country’s leadership,’ he said.

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