I have no ambitions to be a cabinet minister or prime minister. I wouldn’t wish being prime minister on my worst enemy. – Louise Mensch, ex-British MP
There is one decision I have consciously made this year. I do not wish Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s brand of politics to affect me negatively anymore.
Admittedly, the former prime minister’s political manoeuvres, particularly after 2018, leaves much to be desired. I consider them mostly self-serving moves which did not bode well for the country and people as a whole.
So when we, writers, have to tackle Dr Mahathir in an opinion piece, the negative narrative will also likely rub on us. That can be stressful at times.
There will come a time when we have to accept Dr Mahathir for what he is. He is already 97 years old. He cannot and will not change; so, don’t expect him to.
Hello, isn’t it true that many of us also find it difficult to change whatever we have been so used to for so long, particularly the way we say and do things? So, why do we expect Dr Mahathir to change his ways, his thoughts and modes of doing things?
Dr Mahathir might have been prime minister before but he is still a man, an ordinary being, subject to all human emotions and failings.
Why, even King Charles III was emotional and turned teary at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. The king is also a man, a son who had just lost his mother. So allow him the space to show his feelings.
However, I will continue to keep abreast of Dr Mahathir’s political activities and statements because he is Dr Mahathir – and many are still interested to know what he thinks, says or does.
Our dear nonagenarian will continue to be featured in my writing/column because he is still a serving legislator, a party chairman and leader of a coalition which will contest the coming 15th general election (GE15).
Coincidentally, just this past week alone, Dr Mahathir was featured in passing in two of my column in a national news portal.
On Sept 23, I mentioned him this way: “Let’s deal with the oldest and most controversial former PM, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, first. In all fairness, all of us have to give it to our grand old man, even if we strongly abhor some of his politics.
“Just seven months ago, in February, Dr Mahathir said that he thought he was going to die following his health scare and admission to the National Heart Institute. Last month, he founded a new political coalition and announced it was taking the plunge into the coming GE15 on its own.
“What an extraordinary feat for a 97-year-old! A lesser man would have called it quits a long time ago. But not Dr Mahathir. We have to salute him for the man he is; that, we owe him.”
Then, on Sept 25, I wrote: “Why, even Dr Mahathir Mohamad at 97, is also ready to come back as prime minister for the third time. Who are we to deny Dr Mahathir his right to say he is prepared to be PM, not only for the third but also the fourth and fifth time? Dr Mahathir as PM at 100. Why not?”
A day earlier, Dr Mahathir, who is Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman said that he has been persuaded to be prime minister (for the third time) and that if there is no one else, he will accept the position. However, he said he would only hold the position again for a year instead of five years.
I have noted the objection raised by PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on Dr Mahathir’s intention.
“Dr Mahathir’s days as the number one is over. He should not be dictating to others in the PM’s seat now. It is also a mockery to say there are no suitable candidates to be PM from 32 million Malaysians,” Karim said.
Meanwhile, political sociologist Professor Dr Novel Lyndon opined that it was time for Dr Mahathir to give way to the young, vibrant and capable leaders to helm the nation, stressing that this was the wish of the majority of Malaysians.
The reactions from Karim and Lyndon are understandable and fair. They have every right to voice their reservations at Dr Mahathir’s comeback.
As for me, let’s just say I choose to allow Dr Mahathir to enjoy politics in his sunset years too. He can say whatever he wants, as many times as he wants and wherever he wants no matter how absurd, ludicrous or embarrassing.
I will pay no attention or I will just have a chuckle over it. That way, nobody gets stressed up or is unnecessarily hurt.
If dear Dr Mahathir wake up one morning and declare that “Mukhriz is the best candidate to be prime minister,” I will probably respond this way (to myself), “Oh yeah, my son too!”
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
