Najib using Mahathirism to hold on to power

YOURSAY | ‘Did Mahathir foresee this before? Majority of Malaysians did.’

'I used draconian laws to keep peace, not acquire funds'

FellowMalaysian: Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is morbidly trying to defend his past. Before he leaves, he finds himself desperately consumed with the urgent desire to explain and perhaps justify his often highly controversial actions.

But of course, he is explaining and reasoning them out from his own point of view.

In the many years that he has subjected his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim behind bars, there was never a trace of remorse in Mahathir's mind for he was too consumed by his rage against his very own protégé.

6th Generation Immigrant: Malaysians were angry with Mahathir for interpreting procedures, laws and the constitution to suit his objectives.

The government today practises what Mahathir did, and just like the fox looking after the chicken coop, they do not care much for conventions. In fact, abuses are rampant. Did Mahathir foresee this before? The majority of Malaysians did.

This is why laws, procedures and the constitution are enacted to serve the general public and not certain individuals.

Anonymous #20513663: We must not forget that government agencies such as Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) underwent drastic radicalisation/'extremisation' under Mahathir.

In addition, the doctrine of 'ketuanan Melayu' was also strengthened during his times and there was a marked increase of propaganda along these lines as well as the brainwashing of civil servants.

Finally, Project IC and efforts to Islamise the natives (Orang Asal) by hook, crook or force were also heightened during Mahathir's times.

Anonymous #20513663: Very funny, Mahathir. You destroyed race/religious relations and then used “the need to keep peace” as an excuse to amass more and more power.

As for illegitimate gains, please explain where your family gets all its money from. I hope that whoever is behind the 1MDB leaks (I assume they are civil servants) will leak Mahathir's scandals once Najib is out of the way. We need to take them out one by one.

In general, it would be helpful for us to have a truth and reconciliation commission.

We are not interested in replacing Najib with Mahathir’s son Mukhriz while the kleptocratic system remains in place. That would be just replacing one thieving dynasty with another.

Kevin Roy: Yet Mahathir stubbornly refuses to accept or admit his mistakes. This is one man who refuses to face reality.

He is not really interested in the welfare of Malaysians, not even the Malays or Umno. He only wants to save his face and to make sure that Mukhriz will become prime minister no matter what deals he has to make with the current batch of Umno warlords.

Anonymous #40353350: It would be tough for Malaysians and foreign investors to fully trust the judicial system again. Malaysians will always distrust whatever Umno-BN does, even if it may be well-intentioned.

That is Mahathir’s legacy.

Kit Siang: Will Dr M be 1MDB's next victim?

Rm2.6billion Duit Haram: Will Mahathir be the next victim? A big no.

Going by what happened to former MCA chief Ling Liong Sik, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, being a coward and bully, would not dare touch Mahathir.

He has already made a mistake in taking on Ling, who proved to be a lot tougher than he thought. And if he takes on Mahathir, it might be Waterloo for him.

Ferdtan: I would agree that Najib and his gang would be too afraid to take action against him personally, like instituting criminal charges or sacking him from Umno.

However, that will not preclude them from making him the next ‘victim’ by taking a subtler action to pressure him into silence.

For one, the police - at the last resort - may be sent to his residence to take numerous statements; but knowing him, that will not stop him from continuing to attack Najib.

Mahathir knows that there is no way the government would send a 90-year-old man to jail. That would surely bring instant downfall to Najib’s regime.

So I guess the only tactic that may work, which is used often, is to go after his loved ones. He has a son who is in politics, an outspoken daughter and other sons in business.

You can be sure that the enforcement agency would be perusing all transactions and speeches made by them with a fine-tooth comb.

Political blackmail is a powerful weapon. Will that be enough to stop the grand old man?

Well, it was allegedly enough for Najib’s greatest critic, Raja Petra Kamarudin to switch sides when his son was charged in court alleged for possession of stolen items.

Swipenter: The Umno-controlled Parliament has all the trappings of a parliament, but little of its substance.

I don't think Najib has mastered enough guts to nail Mahathir now. Just imagine the backlash from the rakyat should he put Mahathir in the slammer.

He has not reached such depths of desperation, or has he?

Vijay47: One thing I am convinced of - Najib and his gang are too chicken-hearted and yellow-bellied to do a thing to Mahathir. -Mkini