KUALA LUMPUR – Tun Dr Mahathir is now on the receiving end of ex-Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin’s derision, following similar criticism from various quarters on the former prime minister’s recent labelling of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a “dictator”.
Khairy, who was expelled from the Barisan Nasional (BN) linchpin in January, said that the two-time former prime minister’s ostensible feedback on Anwar’s administration was “ironic” and “rich”, considering Dr Mahathir’s history of strong-arm tactics.
“(Dr Mahathir’s) statement that (Anwar) is a dictator is a bit ironic coming from him.
“It’s rich; (Dr Mahathir) used to restrict freedom of speech and the like when he was prime minister, but now he is saying that (Anwar) is doing the same,” Khairy said in an episode of Keluar Sekejap, his podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan.
The latter is currently suspended for six years from the party, allegedly due to his vocal criticism of party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after Umno’s disastrous performance in the November national polls.
Khairy, however, also appeared to play the devil’s advocate, reasoning that the “true” Dr Mahathir is a “Malay nationalist” who has always advocated the betterment of Malay citizens.
“We have no reason to suspect that (Dr Mahathir) will use Proklamasi Orang Melayu (gathering) to make racist remarks or hate speech.
“We can talk about moral judgement later, but from the perspective of what Malays hope for the country, there is definitely some worry among them.
“This is what caused the downfall of Pakatan Harapan’s first (time in federal power),” he said, alluding to the fall of the Mahathir-led administration in 2020, while warning the current unity government against taking a relaxed stance on Malay-related issues.
“(Malay issues) must be handled properly. Dr Mahathir is not going anywhere; he will continue to raise racial topics. The more you stop or shut him down, the more he will exploit us.”
Khairy also drew parallels between Dr Mahathir and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former’s successor during his first stint as prime minister. The latter is also Khairy’s father-in-law.
“All leaders are different. (Badawi) has retired as a gentleman and is no longer involved at all in politics. He is now searching for eternal peace.
“For some politicians, they will fight for as long as they are alive. That’s Tun (Dr Mahathir) for you; as long as he breathes, he will fight,” Khairy said.
On Sunday, Dr Mahathir held a no-holds-barred press conference where he alleged the hypocrisy of Anwar’s administration, as the prime minister had previously led street protests against policies or actions taken by the BN-led government.
The press conference came after the Proklamasi Orang Melayu gathering was halted from being hosted the previous day.
Dr Mahathir said that he was perplexed by the cancellation of the event as the attendees were law-abiding citizens who merely wished to voice their concerns on Malay affairs. – The Vibes, March 23, 2023
