Once the nation has democracy and freedom, these leaders can highlight the differences that they have with each other on various issues.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are convinced that only Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s expulsion from Putrajaya can pave the way for the restoration of democracy in Malaysia, noted former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in his latest blog posting.
“However, the people do not have the avenues and machinery to make known their feelings on the matter.”
He was explaining why leaders from various walks of life came together with him recently, setting aside their individual organisations and their separate struggles, so that their voice could be heard as one and conveyed to all stakeholders. “These leaders need to act as citizens and no longer as parties or various bodies.”
“This awareness and consciousness has persuaded even those who were bitter enemies, to set aside for the moment their differences, to save the nation they love.”
If these leaders had given priority to their respective organisations, said the former Prime Minister, it would have been tantamount to supporting Najib and continuing to keep the regime in power. “Once we get back democracy and freedom, these leaders can resume and highlight the differences that they have with each other on various issues.”
Those who don’t understand all these, continued Mahathir, need only look at Muslims in the Middle East. “Their enemy is Israel who is being aided by the US.”
Unfortunately, he pointed out, they place priority on their enemity with each other, Sunni vs Shia, Fatah vs Hamas, Iran vs the Arabs, until they forget their common enemy. “They have forgotten that Israel is their common enemy.”
“Instead, they war with each other and among themselves.”
The Jews and the Americans watch this bloodbath and cheer on the sidelines, lamented Mahathir.
He was commenting on many Umno members being confused and expressing their concern that Lim Kit Siang and DAP were on the same stage as Umno and its leaders, the old and the young. “The question that they have raised was why Umno leaders and members were willing to be with Lim Kit Siang and DAP.”
“The same question was being raised by DAP leaders and members who consider Umno their enemies, especially me as a former leader. They have had this enemity towards Umno for so long, ever since DAP was set up.”
Mahathir conceded that it was extremely difficult for many in the two parties, Umno and DAP who have been sworn enemies for so long, to turn up and sign the Citizens’ Declaration to reject Najib. “They were attending not as leaders and members of their parties or movements, but as ordinary citizens.”
“They turned up as citizens who were concerned that Najib was such a bad Prime Minister. They could no longer take it.”
Mahathir recalled a time when Umno was the kind of party where problems could be settled within internal channels. “We had the mechanism to stop wrongdoing but it was no longer so.”
Najib, he charged, had closed all channels in Umno to deal with wrongdoing. “Umno members no longer have any rights during the Annual General Assembly and the Umno Supreme Council meetings.”
“Umno members and the various bodies within the party can no longer open their mouths.”
Likewise, said Mahathir, various public institutions have been paralysed and these include the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and others. “Najib’s actions have not only oppressed the political parties but the people without regard for race or affiliation.”
Under these circumstances, summed up Mahathir, the people have become victims, paralysed, and can no longer depend on political parties for protection. “They can also no longer depend on government institutions which are responsible for their safety and security.”
“However, the people do not have the avenues and machinery to make known their feelings on the matter.”
He was explaining why leaders from various walks of life came together with him recently, setting aside their individual organisations and their separate struggles, so that their voice could be heard as one and conveyed to all stakeholders. “These leaders need to act as citizens and no longer as parties or various bodies.”
“This awareness and consciousness has persuaded even those who were bitter enemies, to set aside for the moment their differences, to save the nation they love.”
If these leaders had given priority to their respective organisations, said the former Prime Minister, it would have been tantamount to supporting Najib and continuing to keep the regime in power. “Once we get back democracy and freedom, these leaders can resume and highlight the differences that they have with each other on various issues.”
Those who don’t understand all these, continued Mahathir, need only look at Muslims in the Middle East. “Their enemy is Israel who is being aided by the US.”
Unfortunately, he pointed out, they place priority on their enemity with each other, Sunni vs Shia, Fatah vs Hamas, Iran vs the Arabs, until they forget their common enemy. “They have forgotten that Israel is their common enemy.”
“Instead, they war with each other and among themselves.”
The Jews and the Americans watch this bloodbath and cheer on the sidelines, lamented Mahathir.
He was commenting on many Umno members being confused and expressing their concern that Lim Kit Siang and DAP were on the same stage as Umno and its leaders, the old and the young. “The question that they have raised was why Umno leaders and members were willing to be with Lim Kit Siang and DAP.”
“The same question was being raised by DAP leaders and members who consider Umno their enemies, especially me as a former leader. They have had this enemity towards Umno for so long, ever since DAP was set up.”
Mahathir conceded that it was extremely difficult for many in the two parties, Umno and DAP who have been sworn enemies for so long, to turn up and sign the Citizens’ Declaration to reject Najib. “They were attending not as leaders and members of their parties or movements, but as ordinary citizens.”
“They turned up as citizens who were concerned that Najib was such a bad Prime Minister. They could no longer take it.”
Mahathir recalled a time when Umno was the kind of party where problems could be settled within internal channels. “We had the mechanism to stop wrongdoing but it was no longer so.”
Najib, he charged, had closed all channels in Umno to deal with wrongdoing. “Umno members no longer have any rights during the Annual General Assembly and the Umno Supreme Council meetings.”
“Umno members and the various bodies within the party can no longer open their mouths.”
Likewise, said Mahathir, various public institutions have been paralysed and these include the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and others. “Najib’s actions have not only oppressed the political parties but the people without regard for race or affiliation.”
Under these circumstances, summed up Mahathir, the people have become victims, paralysed, and can no longer depend on political parties for protection. “They can also no longer depend on government institutions which are responsible for their safety and security.”
-FMT NEWS-
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