WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE LAH

SIASAH, in its current edition, asks the provocative question, “Is Ku Li willing to challenge Pak Lah?” The paper is, of course, referring to Malaysia’s former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who once took on Dr. Mahathir Mohammad. That was way back in 1987, some twenty or so years ago.

Strange that a generation later the possible challenger has not changed, but the prime minister has, albeit after 22 long years. Is this a reflection on UMNO’s inability to cultivate a new crop of leaders?

That the question of a challenge against the president of the party is being bandied about comes as no surprise given the recent open hostility towards Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s premiership by Dr. Mahathir, the man single-handedly responsible for putting him there in the first place. Given the intensity of each passing shot by the latter one is forgiven for believing that the prime minister’s days in office are numbered because if it had instead been a live round of bullets the country would have had a state funeral. The accusations leveled were so unapologetically vicious.

But survived it he did. If Dr. Mahathir had intended to unseat Abdullah he must be sorely disappointed. Didn’t anyone bother to tell him that it is near impossible to topple an incumbent? He, more than anyone, should know this. Two former prime ministers did their utmost to get him out of office and both failed miserably. These scenarios are text book perfect.

Malaysia inherited the British system of government where the prime minister is primus inter pares, first amongst equals. He holds all levers, not only to power, but also the fate of party aspirants in his hands. And, in today’s flourishing crony capitalism, the long arm of the prime minister reaches beyond government and politics. In this country, at least, he is all powerful – if he chooses to be. It is obvious that Abdullah Badawi has chosen to be!

So why even entertain the notion that there might be a change at the top, so soon?

It is the nature of politics. If for the ordinary mortal the pursuit of happiness is vague, the same cannot be said for the politician. As he lives and breathes his one pleasure is the pursuit of power. Now that Abdullah Badawi has power he does not see any reason for relinquishing it. Natural that. Unfortunately, this is not a one-horse race. Every politician worth his salt relishes the thought that he might be next in line and since Dr. Mahathir has stirred the hornet’s nest there will be those willing to exploit the breach.

The point is why Ku Li, why him as a possible candidate to slip through that crack? Why not others? Okay, Anwar Ibrahim is probably not the right man. Fresh from prison, his credentials as former finance minister will cut no ice in the face of aggressive competition from others, like another former finance minister, Daim Zainudin. Why not Daim if what we want is experience at the economic helm. After all, his departure from office is more recent.

Maybe it is because he too was handpicked by Dr. Mahathir plucked out of the blue and deposited into office. A one-portfolio minister, formerly a businessman, Daim is not charismatic. To make matters worse he was far too aloof for a politician. His achievements notwithstanding, the UMNO grassroots is more impressed by accessibility then performance.

For to them, a job well done is no big deal. Was not Dr. Mahathir never a finance minister? And yet he was able to put the economy into overdrive in just a few short years. Furthermore, ministers move from one portfolio to another so that, should they ever become number 1, they would have had a feel of what it takes to find the balance necessary for good governance of the country.

Then again, if this is the case, why not ask a sitting cabinet minister with many years of service, one who is Dr. Mahathir’s legacy. Unfortunately, serving under the former prime minister does little for a minister’s image. None could outperform Dr. Mahathir. Nobody could outthink him. And, no one could out boss the boss. Whether intentionally or otherwise, Dr. Mahathir’s cabinet ministers were never made to appear as convincing prime minister material.

Is it any wonder then that we appear to be caught in a time warp?

Not that Tengku Razaleigh is not a legitimate contender. His credentials are neither tarnished by insinuations of corruption nor blemished by the rabid racism of UMNO’s recent General Assembly. He was the first Malay finance minister and a successful one at that, having laid the foundation for the Bumiputra economy. Remember, too, he came close to defeating Dr. Mahathir that time. But, like he says, he is an old man. Then again Dr. Mahathir was 78 before he threw in the towel.

However and most pertinent to the issue is that all this talk of challenge will probably be stillborn. For, UMNO has never properly understood that in a democracy, democratic practices should be all pervasive, especially in the party that spearheads the ruling coalition.