The UMNO assembly is over and a new leadership has emerged. Effectively the last of the old guards has gracefully stepped down to make way for Najib. There are couple of observations that interest me. On this blog, I will just deal with this topic.
End of ‘Mahathirism’ is now without doubt. Badawi was appointed by him to take over the reign of Malaysia when he stood down after 22 years of autocratic rule. He believes he has the moral right to criticise his hand picked successor and even insist he resigns. Now that Najib was elected, Mahathir cannot criticise Najib at liberty without adverse consequence. With his son Mukhriz losing out to Khairy, the least popular for the 3 candidates for the UMNO Youth leadership. Khairy is the son in law of Badawi and it is seen as a challenge of the 2 dynasties.
In spite of Mahathir canvassing for his son and his son still loose, this clearly signifies the waning influence of Mahathir. This defeat denies Mahathir a mouthpiece in the national political arena as well as a springboard for the junior to higher office. It is going to be very painful for a noisy man to walk away quietly; surely, he will occasionally blow some hot air to remind the public he is still around. For Mahathir, it must be very sad and frustrating to see most of the newly elected leaders carrying the legacy of their fathers who were previously prime ministers. Mahathir has failed to create his dynasty. We can expect Mahathir crying foul that Badawi’s son-in-law won the Youth leadership.
The modus operandi of Mahathir is divide- and-rule and rewarding his loyal supporters handsomely. He effectively controlled MCA and MIC and other component parties within BN and allow no dissent. He managed to keep the harmony within UMNO by dishing out all the lucrative contracts, handouts and perks to his supporters and cronies without tender. Some leftovers were given out to MCA and MIC. That has largely kept the peace and harmony within BN. After the financial crises of 1997, the economic pie has shrunk and this strategy can no longer be sustained. Money was the glue to the bond within UMNO and BN. Now that the glue was limited, so the bond becomes less adhesive.
Mahathir is an ultra nationalist who champions the Malays cause. Although he is half Indian, he took pride in calling himself Malay and even refers to his Indian father Malay. But by the Malaysia’s Constitution, he is perfectly and legally right to call himself Malay. Because of his conviction and commitment to promote and safeguard the Malays rights and Malay supremacy, he always has the backing of majority Malays in this multi-racial country. Thus UMNO prospered and his leadership was never challenged until the Asia financial crises set in, and deprived him the tools of manipulation (money and contracts). His popularity waned and with the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim, his days were numbered.
Mahathir is the master of the art of distraction and deception especially in trying times of domestic conflicts. He has honed the skill of bashing the West and also his neighbour Singapore. It made him look brave and tough in the eyes of his citizen and at the same time, deflected attention from domestic problems. His tirades against Singapore are well documented. His favourite criticism of Singapore is the way the Malays in Singapore are discriminated in our meritocratic system. Nevertheless, the Singapore leadership has never succumbed to his baits.
To be fair, Mahathir is the architect of modern Malaysia. He has successfully transformed Malaysia’s economy from an agricultural to manufacturing, built mega projects and improved the GDP by leaps and bounds. History will remembered him for bringing development to Malaysia. But history too will not forget some of his controversial education policy, undermining the judiciary, corruption within the civil services and wasteful mega-projects.
Will Najib follows the footsteps and use Mahathir time tested strategies to govern Malaysia, only time will tell. Singapore relationship with Malaysia has been rocky and turbulent under Mahathir. Since Badawi took over, Singapore has enjoyed a period of calm. Now that Najib is in the driving chair, will we see the resurgence of frictions similar to the days of Mahathir? There is always this danger of new leadership; he has to flex his muscles to demonstrate his dominance and authority. I hope he will not use Singapore, as proven by Mahathir that Singapore bashing is cost free.
And I hope Najib will not tolerate and allow the shadows and legacies of Mahathir to undermine his new administration like that of Badawi’s. Only time will be the best judge.
My next blog......"The Malay Dilemma", 40 years later
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