The man was said to be responsible for the early retirement of three amicable Prime Ministers and three popular potential Prime Ministers to be? Huh? How come? Being a Machiavellian, he knows how to manipulate and twist facts to raise the unpopularity of a leader. In democracy, when you have lost 2/3 majority, you are no longer enjoying popular support. Many Prime Ministers left upon knowing that their popularity level was declining but Tun M stayed on and survived despicably!Tunku Abdul Rahman was a popular Prime Minister until Mahathir blew dust and ashes into his face. The revered Tunku was into sports and horse racing was one of his hobby. He was labeled to be a kaki judi and selling out to the Chinese. In no time he lost his premiership after May 13th incident. Thanks to Mahathir's fatal missile like political attack.
Tun Hussein Onn, another popular and likable Prime Minister was cornered into relinquishing his premiership to Mahathir. He was embarrassed by a purported challenge to his Presidency. Being learned and a gentleman, he made way and Mahathirism paved it's way. For 22 years, he was unstoppable. While the Chinese hated him for inciting racial polemics , the Malays worshiped him. When the Malays abandoned him in 1999 for his despicable acts, the Chinese came to his rescue.
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was popular and made decisions in the interest of the people and the mass. He had the courage to detour and defer Mahathir's mega pet projects, thus incurring the wrath of the man. His insurmountable victory at the 2004 general election subsequently proved to be a liability. Mahathir incessantly attacked Pak Lah's leadership and his cabinet including the present Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Abdul Razak. He called for a stronger opposition and seek to deprive Pak Lah of a 2/3 majority in Parliament. Upon depriving BN the 2/3 majority he called for Pak Lah's resignation. The rest is now history.
Mahathirism had also seen three powerful personalities by the name of Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Anwar Ibrahim removed from office and politically damaged. But Mahathir himself had declared that he would stay and hold onto his premiership even if he had won the UMNO Presidency by one vote when he was challenged by Tengku Razaleigh. True to his words in Machiavellian style, he clung onto power though he had only won by a mere 24 votes. Any other leader worth his salt and dignity would have moved on with grace and dignity. Instead UMNO of 1946 was to die an early death and UMNO Baru was registered. Tun M had mastered the art of sun tzi and the thick faced, black hearted approach.
Under Mahathir, we have seen the rise in buildings but the fall and collapse of our institutions and pillars of our legal system. He had stepped on the Royal Institution , tampered with the Judiciary, pampered the Malays and expected to be glorified for making racial provocations. His favorite punching bag were the Chinamen. Later he conceded that he had failed to change the Malays and lambasted them as " Melayu mudah lupa" for he had nearly lost the 1999 general election due to the Malay uprising against this perceived tyrant. He was even called MAHAZALIM in the mosque and surau.
True to his words, Melayu mudah lupa...they had forgotten this man whom many disagreed but condoned. This man whom many disliked but feared. This man whom many benefited but many more suffered lost and the list continues....
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