Politics determine who has the power, not who has the truth.
– Paul Krugman, American economist
Something really BIG was supposed to happen this month, which does not look like it is going to happen.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) people had been saying there was an agreement, an understanding rather, that at the end of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s two years as prime minister, which is this month, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would take over.
Rather unfortunate for Anwar, though. With Dr Mahathir no longer the prime minister, he can’t give something that he does not have.
Therefore, Anwar is not going to be prime minister this May, surely not on the strength of an understanding that has been badly misunderstood by the PH people themselves.
Until today, no one seems to be able to show proof of the existence of that agreement despite the fact that there were those who insisted the agreement was in black and white, even as there were others who said it was just a gentleman’s understanding.
So, PH is not in any position to insist on Anwar becoming PM this May, while Dr Mahathir has nothing to hand over to Anwar even if he is willing (he was unwilling to let go the last time, not this May but maybe until after he had chaired Apec in December).
This May, Anwar can only be PM if Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Perikatan Nasional government agreed, which borders on stupidity and tidak masuk akal.
Of course, the PKR president knows that too well, which is why he and the PH people have been drumming for a full Parliament sitting instead of the one-day sitting on May 18.
Their excuses: debate the RM250 billion stimulus package, discuss saving lives and businesses, address retrenchment, and pass laws and enactments.
Isn’t that too elementary? Remember, Anwar has set his eyes on assuming the premiership this May. What would stop him, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Khalid Samat and Mat Sabu from moving a vote of no-confidence against Muhyiddin?
A Straits Times’ March 14 report read: “Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that he was not discounting the possibility that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact could return to power in May …”
The paper quoted Anwar as saying: “We will see what should be done in the next few weeks. We are not discounting any possibility.”
Given the chance, Anwar and his DAP and Amanah allies would surely do it — except that the one-day sitting on May 18 has put paid to that.
Anwar’s only solace probably would be to get sworn-in as the opposition leader, which would make him not quite unlike Dr Mahathir, who was made PM despite not heading the biggest party in the coalition.
The largest party in PH today is DAP. This being the case, as with Dr Mahathir, Anwar will have to dance to DAP’s music. In that sense, however, Anwar is probably a better person compared to Dr Mahathir who is never the actor Anwar is.
Just two days before PH came to power, Anwar was reportedly showed off his prowess as he danced on stage with an MGR impersonator at Desa Mentari in Petaling Jaya.
That report said: “Anwar surprised voters … with his slick dance moves and lip-syncing to the Tamil hit song ‘Naan Aanaiyittal’ by the late Indian actor MG Ramachandran (better known as MGR).
“The 1996 tune is a legendary song from MGR’s blockbuster hit Engga Veettu Pillai. The crowd broke into thunderous applause when Anwar danced with gusto with an MGR impersonator.”
When the votes had all been counted on the night of May 9, most of the Indian votes were with PH.
Wonder what song the Lims are preparing for Anwar to dance and sing to, which, however, should not bother the PKR chief in any way. That would be the least of his concern.
He has his mind set; he is ready to tango with anyone to be PM.
No, surely not this month, but a patient man — and none as patient as Anwar — can wait beyond May.
