Work towards the creation of a new Malaysia
If there is a single person who had profoundly influenced our lives and those of our children it is none other than our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.At an age when people usually retire gracefully, leave the public scene, take care of their health and enjoy their lives with children and grand children, Dr.M at 82,has chosen the arduous path to continue to actively serve the nation and the people by even willing to go to court to reveal the unhealthy practices in the government. We salute him for his fighting spirit and endless efforts to put things right in his own way.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad (in grey bush jacket) with supporters at the Johor Baru (Picture from MalaysianInsider)
Dr.M wants the opportunity in court to explain many things that the judges did. It is a fact that he was the Prime Minister when the allegations of the Lingam video scandal really took place in 2001.As the PM he was responsible for the appointment of judges and if there were discrepancies in that he is also responsible for it although the offence could have been committed by the judges themselves. Exposing the judges for their misbehavior would also tantamount to incriminating himself as well. Why didn’t he act against these errant judges like he did against Tun Salleh Abbas and his colleagues?
Lobbying for appointments and promotions by itself may not be wrong but the intentions with which it was done can surely be. Supporting a system that encourages lobbying is wrong as promotions and appointments should be awarded based on seniority unless there is a genuine reasons to deny that to the person next in line.
It would be grave mistake for Dr.M to think the whole country; in particular those who disagree with him, are against him and out to ‘fix’ him. On the contrary a vast majority of Malaysians, young and old from all races have great respect for him as a capable leader who brought much development to the nation which helped to earn the respect of the world. In fact many of our children have never known any other Prime Minister other than him.
I do not think Malaysians are cruel enough in wanting him to be hauled into court and charged like a common criminal for the wrongs he might have done. Who does not make mistakes? All leaders however great they may be do make mistakes and wrong judgments occasionally. The people will never forget the tremendous good that he has done not only for the Malays but the non-Malays as well.
Mahathir’s fears that the Malays will lose their rights and privileges if Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi remains as Prime Minister or of the Opposition takes over power is unfounded. How can their rights be taken away when those are guaranteed in the Federal Constitution and accepted by all? Using such imaginary threats to unite the Malays which were successful before is not going to work anymore with the younger generation who are better informed and want a formula that will guarantee lasting peace in a multiracial
I am sure Dr.M has enough wisdom and foresight to realize the nation is slowly evolving into a multiracial one and he should not stand in the way to stop that. The time has come for us to do away with confrontation methods to solve our inter-ethnic problems but rather opt for dialogue and goodwill instead.
Dr.M should stop his ranting and raving and instead work towards building a new
Dr.Chris Anthony
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