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An Open Letter to Ayahanda Tun - PART 3


For me, to say I want to go to sleep and retire and prepare for my afterlife, I think that is very selfish.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, The Straits Times – 22 January 2017.

This statement is the reflection of ayahanda Tun’s true character. For many of us, he is father of this nation. His love for this nation is unprecedented. Even though he was retired in 2003 but made a comeback in 2018 as the seventh Prime Minster of Malaysia at the age of 93 years. He made a history. At this twilight age, most people would have a ‘quite’ life but not ayahanda. 

The biggest question is why ayahanda had to return to active in politics at this age to ‘save’ Malaysia.

What are the factors which have triggered him to take such a drastic decision?

At that time, Malaysia’s reputation was at the stake because of the kleptocratic regime. In addition, the economic, social and political factors had triggered him to make a comeback. But, the main focal point of his return is the damaged reputation of this country.

The apparent answer is he could not have digested the reputation and the wealth of this country has been plundered by some unscrupulous elements within the kleptocratic regime. At this stage of life, his energy is exceptional.

His determination to safe this country from the kleptocrats is incredible, we believe, he is not an ordinary politician or person per se. Most of his comrades are either passed away or retired but he is still on the battlefield. He is fighting against the odds and his fighting spirit will never die off.  

But, why ayahanda is so special and why he is still wants to fight?

We have seen many political leaders who lost in the battlefields either become corporate leaders or holding positions within the government agencies with the fat pay check. Only a number of leaders have resisted such temptations like ayahanda. These leaders put the interest of Malaysia above their own interest.

Again, his affection for this nation is indubitable. At the ripe of this age no one will take this challenge to fight against the monstrous regime to topple it. For instance, he was the prevalent instrument when the opposition won the election in 2018.

In his book, A New Deal for Asia (1999), he stated that there is a new form of colonialism. This is known as economic colonialism. He warned that the largest economic countries will steal the future of young countries like Malaysia. In past decade, his prediction is already materialised as we are losing our crucial assets to the global economic giants. During the kleptocratic regime, many of our country’s assets sold to foreign powers. We still remembered his role on the seizure of Guthrie in early 1980s.

Ayahanda is greatly misunderstood by not only others but his own kind. He is a statesman. In our opinion, he is not properly recognised as the greatest leader of Malaysia.

Other countries like Thailand, Palestine and Japan adore him for his leadership. In his own country, he is being labelled as a dictator or a Machiavellian. He is not dissuaded by these names. His sole focus is the progress of this nation. He desires to uplift this nation as a developed country and wanted the world community respect its sovereignty.

Although, ayahanda does not appreciate any kind of recognition during his tenure as the Prime Minster of this nation. But, we should rightfully have acknowledged his contributions to this nation.

Even though some of his statements can be considered as the controversial statements but these speeches were greatly misconstrued. He is a nationalist. He is also a visionary man. He believes unity is the key factor for the progress of this nation. Even though some of us still susceptible that he still holds old traits but we doubt it greatly. Again, we have to emphasise that his fondness for this nation is absolute.

Some of his crucial policies and programmes were failed because of the people who were entrusted did not executed it sincerely. The transformation that ayahanda wanted to achieve for his people has been sabotaged by some unscrupulous people. These people have self-indulgence attitudes and total disregard for the welfare of ordinary Malaysians like us.

Ayahanda wants this country to be in league of the emerging Asian economic tigers. He wants this nation to progress further. Unfortunately, his vision was dented in this February. Some of his inner circle people have betrayed him. Even though he and his coalition rightfully voted in as the government of Malaysia but that mandate was undermined by the defectors.

It is irrelevant to discuss on the incidents of pre downfall of Pakatan Harapan government in February. The people and the young politicians have learned the hard lessons from this appalling episode. The traitors have been identified. They will be removed from the national agenda in future by the voters. Therefore, it will help the future government to take some proactive measures to avoid such episodes to be reiterated again.

Ayahanda still commands a good support from us. He understands us well and he can execute his grand plan without any aggravation. All he needs now is a collective support to rectify the current calamity.

We are willing support his cause which is actually ours. The biggest setback for ayahanda is always trust the wrong people who will eventually grassed him.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) got mandate to rule this country because of its manifesto. At this stage, it is viable to revisit PH’s election manifesto and its agreement between the coalition members.

Ayahanda must help to mobilise the coalition members to a single direction that PH becomes the ruling government again. Once this goal is achieved, then a clear succession plan must be in place in accordance with the pre 14th general election’s agreement of PH members.

The future Prime Minster and the cabinet ministers are going to carry on your vision for this country. They will be on the reformation platform as guiding agenda to make this nation as a developed nation.

Ayahanda, this will be your final battle for this country. Your contribution and commitments we will never forget. We, sometimes get very angry and upset with your former comrades who had mistreated you with wicked remarks. Their ‘raise’ in politics is very much depends on your significant contribution. They conveniently forgot and committed an act treachery against you.

Sometimes, some leaders have made some mistakes. That is inevitable in politics. If they acknowledged and want to rectify these mistakes, as the citizens of this nation we should support them.

The future of this country is imperative. This nation imust free from the hostile environment and must be liberated from the kleptocrats.

Ayahanda is taking the initiative to unite us again the kelptocrats .

The question is whether we are willing to be part of this initiative or not?

In a nutshell, ayahanda is great statesman and leader for all Malaysians. Unfortunately, he always will be misunderstood for his self-sacrificing intention to make Malaysia as a great nation. For us, he is our father figure, friend, teacher and a charismatic leader. We should always have to treasure him because he is the role model for us to follow.

He once said, ‘In my years, I had the opportunity to observe peoples and countries. I see some countries doing well, others failing, and my analysis of things is that whether you fail or succeed is a function of your value system.’

Thank you, ayahanda.

© Copyrights Reserved. 2020.

28.05.2020
Kuala Lumpur

This opinion is republished - https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/527617

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