Cold War in Malaysia

Anwar-Mahathir rivalry not healthy for Malaysia

The Anwar-Mahathir rivalry has been going on for more than a generation. It began in the 1990s, when a prime minister and his deputy were racing around the country in what amounted to a popularity stakes. Mahathir got dirty in 1998, arresting Anwar on what were seen internationally as trumped up and politically motivated charges.

Fast forward to 2018, Pakatan Harapan joining forces with Mahathir’s Bersatu defeated then prime minister Najib Razak, where Mahathir became prime minister once again. There was a disputed succession plan. The two camps fought continuously over the issue, during the life of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Mahathir put an end to Anwar’s chances by resigning as prime minister, over the Sheraton Putsch, which was basically a coup to prevent Anwar from becoming prime minister.

Now Anwar has become prime minister, and Mahathir has returned to his ‘impoverished Malay’ narratives, and racist rants.

This all came to a head last weekend when Mahathir was going to address A Malay Proclamation Gathering, and launch his Malay manifesto. The booked venues cancelled, and the event didn’t occur, due to the lack of venue.

Mahathir claims Malays are at grave risk of being subjugated by the minority races in Malaysia. However, according to Hussein Hamid in his Steadyaku47 blog, the sultans and governors are Malays, the key positions in the civil service are Malays, the heads of the military forces and PDRM are Malays, and key people in the government are Malays. So where is the existential threat?

This is a cold war based upon feelings of deep hatred and vengeance on both sides. However, its not just about two people, the whole country is dragged into it.

When Mahathir called Anwar a dictator, a ‘pandora’s box’ opened up on social media, with anger and claims that will never be put out of sight again.

This has brought out comment from all sides of the political spectrum, with a concurrence that its time to allow Anwar to get on with the job of governance, and do what he believes is right. Mahathir had two chances over 22 years as prime minister, and his ranting is losing him any last bit of credibility he had left.

The generation around when Mahathir when he was first prime minister, may have had some respect for him. However, the younger generation has only seen a manipulating and conniving man, who hasn’t garnered the respect he once had during the 1980s.

Many people felt terribly let down with Mahathir after the GE14 win and his coming to power..

Mahathir and his Pejuang party candidates all lost their 67 electoral deposits during the last general election, and the Johor state election before that. Mahathir was personally humiliated in his own seat of Langkawi. His own son Mukhriz has politically abandoned him, and has no where to go, as Perikatan Nasional (PN) has rejected his request to join the coalition.

Meanwhile, Anwar has said there should be zero tolerance for people who incited racial and religious sentiments. Anwar, even put the armed forces on high alert over last weekend. No one turned up to protest. Most importantly, public opinion is now swinging around to an expectation that Anwar will do something over Mahathir’s rhetoric.

Maybe Mahathir feels that if he can goad Anwar to arrest him, he will get sympathy for his cause, that might turn him into some form of hero. No it won’t, it will only turn Mahathir into a sad old man.

So far, Anwar has acted with restraint. Over the years, both parties have been devious. However, today Mahathir has painted himself into a corner, where most of the country want Anwar to act.

This could be a sad and miserable end to Mahathir’s political career.

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