Zam: Opposition unity behind Mahathir unprecedented

The former Prime Minister’s decision to leave Umno and work with the Opposition is the clearest signal that Najib Razak is in grave danger.

KUALA LUMPUR: A former Information Minister warned in his latest blog posting that former Prime Minister and Umno President Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to exit the party to work towards unseating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak cannot be taken lightly or dismissed as not having any effect on the political situation.

“Never in the history of the nation have all political parties in the Opposition united behind a former Prime Minister, once their sworn enemy, from Umno.”

If the Opposition supports Mahathir, Zainuddin Maidin, it was because they are convinced that he’s sincere, like them, on “saving the nation”. “The Opposition appreciates Mahathir’s willingness to be with them in their joint endeavour, not surprising since he was responsible for building up the nation.”

The former Prime Minister, added Zainuddin who was at one time Editor-in-Chief of Utusan Malaysia, will owe a debt of gratitude to the Opposition. “Although he’s no longer willing to lead them, he will be the chief catalyst in bringing down the walls of resistance, in building up the national solidarity of political parties to replace the Barisan Nasional (BN) which has become irrelevant especially since MIC and MCA remain in name only.”

What’s certain, said Zam in expressing his confidence, is that Mahathir’s decision to leave Umno will be the major contribution in changing the political structure of the nation to one where it’s progressive, dynamic and in tune with the times, beyond race and religion. “The objective is a noble one. A government must be clean. The restructuring of the political image of the nation calls for sacrifices from each political party. They need to adapt to the newly emerging scenario.”

The first objective, before forging concrete solidarity, was Najib’s expulsion from Putrajaya, conceded Zainuddin. “The BN’s future is grim if Umno fails to read the brave and revolutionary step taken by Mahathir. He now wants to change Umno from outside.”

Zainuddin was commenting on people in Umno being ungrateful instead of appreciating and being thankful for what Mahathir was doing for them. “They only see it in terms of being bad for them and not in terms of how it would help save Umno, the people and the nation.”

“Many in Umno, including the gurkhas and other equally stupid people, appear to be cynical about Mahathir’s decision to leave the party, seeing it as an exercise in futility, and do not see the positive outcome that would follow.”

If the critics can read how successful Mahathir’s move would be, said Zainuddin, they would definitely feel alarmed for their future since the warning bells have sounded for Najib by the former Prime Minister leaving the party. “The warning bells are for Najib, not for other people.”

He reminded that Najib would not have become Prime Minister if Mahathir had not left Umno in 2008 to increase pressure on his successor, Abdullah Badawi, to step down. “Najib was a willing participant, riding to the premiership on the back of Muhyiddin Yassin whom he later shot in the back, just to ensure his survival.”

“Those like Nazri Aziz who are in fact not wanted by the party, have become Ministers and continue to remain Ministers.

Walking down memory lane, Zainuddin recalled that it was Mahathir’s expulsion in 1969 in the wake of the May 13 riots, for allegedly being disloyal to then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, that made Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Razak see him (Mahathir) as the prodigal son and future Prime Minister. “It was Razak who chose Mahathir to be Prime Minister.”

There have been many tragic happenings in the life of Mahathir, many controversies, so much sensation, but he faced all these and emerged as a hero because the people could see that he stood for the truth and hailed him as a saviour, said Zainuddin. “The people in Umno must ask themselves whether they would have liked to see Badawi remain as their Prime Minister or are they glad that Mahathir forced him out for being a weak leader.”

If Badawi can be hounded out of office by Mahathir for various reasons, he said, Najib can be no exception especially when he has turned out to be even worse than the man he replaced as Prime Minister. “Najib has brought nothing but destruction including removing Muhyiddin under dubious circumstances.