What's up Tun?

It is obvious that Tun Mahathir does not agree with the Malaysian government’s decision to scrap the new bridge project with Singapore. He is adamant with his view. No matter what, he wants Malaysia to continue with the bridge project with or without Singapore’s consent. Tun Mahathir said that this is about Malaysia’s sovereignty and dignity at stake. He wants Malaysia to go to the International Court/Tribunal and be judged there. Tun Mahathir is willing to lose. That’s his usual style of doing thing. He would fight to the end without much thought about the public disapproval and sentiment, because if you are a Prime Minister, then you are good enough to make any decision for Malaysia. It’s as simple as that.

So many public comments and views about Tun Mahathir’s disagreement over the issue. A lot of questions have been asked about Tun’s motive. Is he a political liability to the present government? Is he trying to interfere with the government and go back on his promise before retirement? Or is he already a senile man?

But Tun Mahathir maintains that his only motive is for the good interests of Malaysia. No more no less.

At one time, Tun Mahathir was very critical of Tunku Abdul Rahman’s government and he was sacked from UMNO for that. But he was right, Tun Razak, who replaced Tunku, was better than Tunku when it come to racial harmony and unity. May 16, 1969 was the darkest hour of Tunku’s career in politics. At another time, Tun Mahathir simply sacked Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was his deputy, from UMNO and government. Tun Mahathir fought hard any critics who question his decision to sack Anwar.

Actually, Tun Mahathir has proved that; in Malaysia unless your are number one you are not safe; you can get sacked any time, so number two is not good enough. If you are not number one yet, don’t try to be smart.

Now, Tun Mahathir is a voice of dissent. Dissent to AP, dissent to Proton, dissent to new bridge. Tun Mahathir knows well that it is a tradition that any UMNO member or any civil servant would not dare to question the Prime Minister’s decision or judgment in any matter. It’s a culture in UMNO that whatever the President’s does is right.

I guess he thinks that Malaysia needs someone who has the guts and the standing to voice out the alternative way of doing thing. So Tun Mahathir is showing the alternative way. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s not about just or not. It is about doing thing in different way but with the same objective or result.

Whatever it is, in reality Tun Mahathir is showing to the public that he still believes and practices the principle of “the end justify the means”. Marchivialian style. Is this a good principle or otherwise? I don't really sure.

But Pak Lah does not believe in that principle. That is why the clash of opinion between the two number-one cannot be avoided. Therefore, we Malaysian have to live and deal with it wisely.