Mahathir vs Anwar

In 2004, I talked to then Ipoh Timur candidate's kids whom I am friends with. I was surprised when I was told Dr Mahathir campaigned in Ipoh Timur with Abdullah and many other top Barisan Nasional leaders. They all wanted to keep Lim Kit Siang out of Parliament.

Barisan Nasional failed to keep YB Lim Kit Siang out of Parliament. Nevertheless, the Barisan Nasional "tsunami" hit Malaysia. The ruling coalition maintained power at the Federal Government level, won Terengganu back and fared reasonably well in PAS led state, Kelantan.

That year and in that edition of election, Tun campaigned for Pak Lah and Barisan Nasional. Dr Mahathir went around the country for Barisan Nasional. We all cannot deny that Pak Lah's advisors were smart in manipulating the campaign with impressive slogans and policies. I have to praise Pak Lah also during the early stages of his tenure as PM.

His speeches of "Cemerlang Gemilang Terbilang", "Bekerja bersama saya, bukan untuk saya", and of course his ever famous poem that begins with "Ku Cari Damai Abadi". These were impressive and his campaign together with Tun Dr Mahathir ensured that BN maintained power with a 90% control of the Parliament.

Tun was with Barisan Nasional. Soon after, the Pak Lah - Mahathir relationship soured. Dr M began to express disappointment with Pak Lah on a range of issues. Then, Dr M moved up a gear to attack Pak Lah directly on the issue of AP Kings, Proton, and party matters.

Dr M set the tone and played his final card when he sent in a fax to quit UMNO and Barisan Nasional also. He announced his decision to quit earlier on in a function. There were many different stories around the blogosphere with some saying that Tun hates to be challenged and someone raised the question if Tun will take the lead and leave the party during the Q&A session while others felt that Tun was too disappointed with UMNO and sincerely left the party.

Dr Mahathir left Barisan Nasional. During the 12th General Election, Dr Mahathir voiced concerns about the 90% mandate of Barisan Nasional. In the end? Barisan Nasional ended up winning the war with the worst ever result in their history books.

Yes, DSAI said he can forgive but he will not forget. But what about Tun Dr Mahathir? Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim goes to Arab and the Western countries to smear Tun Dr Mahathir's name. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the 1998-99 trial against him was all planned by Tun Dr Mahathir. If I am not mistaken, I once watched a video given by a current Vice President of PKR and in that CD, Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin was claimed to be part of the scandal too.

I believe the Court have heard all these and made the decision to implicate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim based on the evidence provided. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was jailed for not only the sodomy charge but also abuse of power. The sodomy charge was overturned a few years ago and I strongly urge everyone to read the judgement from the Court of Appeal.

Today, Tun Dr Mahathir is still feeling very comfortable in Malaysia. I cannot stop wondering what will happen if indeed September 16th is the day when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim takes over as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Does Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim really have the 6 boxes of evidence on Tun Dr Mahathir and Barisan Nasional's wrongdoings or is he just throwing smoke bombs around? Why isn't Tun Dr Mahathir considering an exit plan?

Perhaps Tun Dr Mahathir knows he has done nothing wrong and his conscience are clear. Perhaps the 6 boxes of evidence as claimed by Anwar are not existent.

Again, as Tun Dr Mahathir once said, if he was the director of "Anwar's Sodomy", he cannot possibly do it alone and he would have to show the script to many people that include his then Political Secretary, judges, Attorney General, Special Branch, police force, doctors, hospitals, UMNO and Barisan Nasional. Unless cooperative game theory is applied, then the secret would have leaked out and Dr Mahathir, instead of Anwar, would have been dragged to Court.

Do not forget that in 1998, Anwar had many powerful friends and allies that include Royalty, tycoons, Editors of mainstream newspaper, businessmen, Western leaders, various organizations and of course within the Government, UMNO and the Opposition.

What is the truth? We do not know. But I can see that we might see another Mahathir vs Anwar showdown. I believe Tun Dr Mahathir has something up his sleeve since he does not have any exit plans. Tun Dr Mahathir is still openly attacking Anwar and recently said that Anwar can even convince the devil and will not be the PM of Malaysia. Interesting isn't it?

Dr Mahathir's words are not to be taken lightly. Not even his actions. Just look at the results of 2004 GE and 2008 GE. And look and see where Dr Mahathir stood with his words. Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was right. Age groups below 40, a majority of them, see Tun as an idol and his words bear a great deal of influence.

If Pak Lah cannot fight, I know Dr Mahathir can and will. Let us wait and see what happens in September. We might or might not see a classic political battle. In the end, I hope whatever the outcome is, our country will move on and progress.

The words "Berkhidmat Untuk Negara" should be the common currency on the lips of leaders and every Malaysian. Our home, our dream. Malaysia. We march on and progress !