What is Mahathir upto?

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister, has fired the first salvo against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the current prime minister, in the inaugural posting of the former’s blog. Mahathir has raised the following issues:

1. The proposed change in the appointment of judges would involve the amendment of the Federal Constitution and this could only be achieved with a two-third majority, which numerical superiority the ruling party lacks;
2. In the light of the magic majority being wanting, would the ruling party work with the opposition and display its weakness, and
3. Will there be a quid pro quo, a bargain with the opposition?

Are these issues actually reflective of the concerns of an erstwhile prime minister or were they raised for the sake of showing his pretended concern; or sowing the seeds of discontent among UMNO members?

Everyone knows that any constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority, and everyone knows that Abdullah Badawi has not that magic number in the present Parliament. Mahathir should credit Abdullah Badawi and his advisors for having a modicum of knowledgeability on this crucial issue because Abdullah Badawi has agreed to the change, and he would not have done so without ascertaining the reception he will have in Parliament. Even if the ruling party has not the required two-third majority, since change in the appointment of judges is a national issue, seeking the support of the opposition cannot in any way be wrong. The opposition had always supported the call for the creation of a Judicial Commission and they would naturally support the motion in Parliament for such a change.

Seeking, or relying on the support of the opposition to Mahathir seems to display [the Government’s] weakness. Marshalling the support of all parties on a national issue shows the moral courage to do the right thing at a right time. Mahathir’s insinuation that such a course would display the Government’s weakness is a sheer political gimmick to digress from the actual issue and supplies those in UMNO who are clamouring for Abdullah Badawi’s resignation with ammunition to launch a frontal attack. This supposition becomes apparent when we consider the next issue that Mahathir has raised: Will there be a Quid Pro Quo, a bargain with the opposition?

This borders a scandalous proposition. Firstly, Mahathir has not grasped the significance of the proposed change in the appointment of judges. Secondly, he has ignored the fact that the opposition are also in for change. So what quid pro quo is Mahathir talking about? Perhaps we have to understand his brand of politics and that is to reward those who would support his policies of action, howsoever unpopular they are. Once again this is Mahathir’s ploy to trigger fear in the minds of UMNO members, to convince them that Abdullah Badawi is leaning on the opposition, thereby weakening UMNO’s position. A clever device no doubt but Malaysians and UMNO members are not so easily swayed by partisan politics when it comes to the welfare of the Malaysian nation.

K. Siladass