MAHATHIR and ANWAR - Spot the difference...

I've taken this liberty to extend this BLOG to cover exploits of our ex-PM as well ex-DPM. This is just to show how one is as reliable as the other
(I would have used BAD to simply describe the similarity, but there are a number of fellow Malaysians who continue to support these personalities, and my intention is not to label, but to stress on their inconsistencies).

TDM:
1/Resigned from UMNO in a Huff.

2/ He once declared with the large majority that his then Foreign Minister, Abdullah Badawi was Mr. Clean.

3/ Since retirement, has changed his opinion – now states he is appalled by the leadership. Accused his successor of corruption. However has yet to openly file any formal complaint except lots of incoherent ranting. Has not substantiated any of his claims of corruption of the PM.

A side comment:
TDM took it in the chin when Abdullah sided Team-Bravo led by Tunku Razaleigh for the UMNO leadership during the early years. His personal selection of PM Badawi to succeed him at the time made me feel he is a bigger man than made out to be.
However in the last 2 years, has been PM Abdullah's biggest critic. If I did not know our ex-PM well, I would actually go out of limb to state he was merely throwing all these accusations to harden PM Abdullah (character building).

But TDM is all about wanting to show Rakyat that he is the only capable Malaysian of leading the country. He calculated that if he continued to stay as PM after being at helm for 22 years would be at major risk. He would be ungracefully unseated (unless due to some divine intervention, he would have spent his last days in office). He thought he could puppeteer his successor once he retired. But that did not materialize, so what better way then to discredit his hand-picked successor.
Anyway, moving on…

4/ Launched a massive campaign to disenchant people against the present Government, and most importantly, present leadership.

5/ Somewhat successful in sowing discord. Ahmad Ismail is one example. Here is one who is willing to create disruption and show that PM Abdullah is not an ex-PM Mahathir Mohammad – PM Abdullah is not authoritarian.
If I didn’t know better, I would almost go out of limb (again) to say TDM through Ahmad Ismail wants to just rattle the apple cart because they want to force the issue of leadership change for their selfish reasons.

6/ Having a 22 year record of bad leadership judgements will never be highlighted by TDM. It’s not in TDM to reflect upon-self. But he will be open to criticizing his successor who has created more transparency in Governance and Legislation in the last 5 years, than the previous 22.

7/ And after all that fuss, and having left the party with such fanfare, TDM now wants to return after a 4 month hiatus. And he has the gall to demand leadership change as his condition to return to the fold. Well TDM, if you want to return to UMNO, I’d suggest do it with no conditions attached. Do it out of love and affection you have for the august body that maintained you in your highest office of the land for a seriously long time. 22 years just to jog your memory. Don’t make demands which reek of your selfish and devious plans, especially as you have no desire to see national unity in place. Minister Muhyddin should know better than to champion this cause, as it will champion his own personal cause to climb the ladder to the highest office bypassing DPM Najib.


Anyhow, that’s enough on TDM. Now, on to

Anwar Ibrahim:

1/ Personally, I can’t see Anwar being a homosexual, and on the point of technicality, guilty of performing sodomy. However TDM based this single accusation as his basis of declaring Anwar unsuitable to continue holding public office. And the manner the entire judicial proceedings had flaws, but independent reviews weren’t allowed on the basis the Judicial system then was controlled.

2/ Anwar Ibrahim has never shown his true capability as Finance Minister nor as DPM as under TDM’s administration, most decisions would not have been passed for implementation without approval. So, it’s hard to determine Anwar’s effectiveness in his roles without examining TDM’s influence into the implementation.

3/ Anwar in his now opposition leader role has irresponsibly claimed he will force the situation of a government change (rather than via the mechanics of the general election). Crossover from one party to another goes to the point, that money and politics are still strife in Malaysia. If not, how else can Anwar irresponsibly and blatantly state he will have no. less than 30 defectors from the Government Coalition party to crossover, making it possible for him to challenge for unseating the BN Government.

4/ But we also know Anwar is a big bag of hot air – what he claimed he will achieve by 16 September, he know states will not take place “due to anticipated problems delaying the transition of power.” In Anwar’s words published in the Star Sept 10.
“After discussing with PAS and DAP, the date can be postponed even though our target was Sept 16 previously.
“However, I believe the present Government will find it difficult to quell the uproar of the rakyat,”…
Anwar, you are as pathetic as TDM is with your selfish and idiotic comments. Yes there are disgruntled Malaysian who are facing the stress of financial and lifestyle management. But a large part of the population doesn’t want the change you’re proposing which is
- supporting a coalition (PKR – DAP – PAS) with no real economic and governance agenda
- Each component in this coalition has selfish and independent reasons as to why they joined forces in first place. At the first sign of discord, this coalition will break. Hence why, DAP & PAS could never establish a mutual respectful relationship all this while. What makes PKR special in this menage-a-trois ?
- Install Anwar as the next PM because he wants to be PM for his own personal gains. Let’s face it Anwar, since you came out of captivity, how much of an effort did you place in reestablishing yourself in a post-Mahathir UMNO.

C'mon Anwar - You had enemies in there (TDM wasn’t your only nemesis). You realised you have to work all the way up the ranks (and will not have the same ride as Mohd. Taib did as he has more cronies in the machinery). So, why wait especially when you feel bitter about the lost years to hold the reigns. Stick to your “reformasi” agenda which is no different to PM Abdullah’s stance since taking over Governance, and push full steam ahead hoping your dominoes will fall faster this time.


So in summary, TDM and Anwar have only one difference (in trait) which is, one is an Ex-PM and the other, and ex-DPM.

Their one common aim is to discredit the current government at all cost, as allowing it to continue will not help them achieve their personal agendas. They are both in my view EVIL.

(Ravi)