Is sacking DPM Zahid enough for PMX to regain, restore slipping trust of PH backers in Madani?

 

Letter to Editor

PLEASE shoot me down if you think my suggestion is stupid.

I’m suggesting to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that after the Melaka state elections, he sack UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Prime Minister and resume prosecution of the latter’s Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.

This would most likely win a lot of public support for Anwar and possibly redeem his loss of credibility over fighting corruption in light of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest.

Zahid should deserve such a sacking because UMNO has already hooked up openly with PAS and he himself has seemingly exhibited a lack of confidence in the Madani government by repeatedly urging Anwar to call for early elections.

There is therefore no better time for Anwar to cut Zahid loose. After all, Zahid is proving to be more of a liability than an asset to Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) position in the government given he’s also looking more and more like a musuh dalam selimut (an equivalent of “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” or “a snake in the grass”).

Jettison Zahid and confidence could well return to PH and Madani. Supporters who uphold justice and condemn corruption could come flocking back.

Is my suggestion easier said than done? Is it too simplistic? If it is, please tell me.

(Of course, the current stance between Zahid and Anwar could well be part of a deceptive sandiwara (theatrics) and they might actually have some secret mutual plan that we don’t know of, in which case my suggestion would be nothing but academic.) 

Veteran journalist Kee Thuan Chye is the author of Ask for No Bullshit, Get Some More! (sequel to No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians).

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.