SOCK IT TO THEM, DR M: NATION PINS HOPES ON EX-PM TO KNOCK OUT NAJIB & CO AT UMNO ASSEMBLY

LET MAHATHIR SPEAK - So Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be attending the Umno general assembly to be held from Dec 8-12. He has said so himself.

Good for you, Dr M.

I think it’s the right thing to do. A leader must not just sulk in a corner when things go wrong but must be prepared to confront it head on.

Umno people will be watching what Mahathir will do when he turns up at the assembly.

Firstly, they must surely want to see whether Najib Razak will be uncomfortable with Mahathir’s presence. And not only Mahathir, with Muyhiddin Yassin too who has said that he will also be present at the Umno meet.

According to a Bernama report, Mahathir has said that his presence at the assembly was only as a guest and not to make speeches.

But why should a former party president be denied the opportunity to speak at the assembly?

Of course, it’s not a tradition for former presidents to address the Umno assembly but if Mahathir wants to speak, why should he be prevented from doing so.

Just because he is a staunch critic of the current party president? Since when has an Umno president been beyond criticisms?

We can expect Mahathir to be the centre of attention when he turns up at the assembly. Party members want to know what he has to say and how he feels about the current political malaise in the country.

One can argue that he has said what he wanted to say for the past months. His blog postings have been widely publicised. But speaking at an Umno assembly is different.

Others can agree or disagree with him but Mahathir should be given the chance to address the assembly, given his stature as a former party president and the nation’s longest serving prime minister.

Even giving him a 5-minute slot will make Umno look better in the eyes of the public. Gagging this and that fellow from speaking up and closing the Umno assembly to the media will further taint Umno’s image.

To Dr Mahathir, I’m sure you know that many within Umno would want you to speak your mind on the current situation in the party and country.

Contrary to what your detractors may say, many in Umno and outside still hold you in high esteem.

So go to the assembly, speak out loud and clear. Just sock it to ‘em! - http://theantdaily.com/