Mahathir vs. Pak Lah: A Narrative in Three Parts [Part 3]

PART 3: The Best Foot Forward

I believe the best course of action for Pak Lah at the moment is to deliver promptly the promises he made when took over the mantle of leadership nearly 2 years ago.

Unfortunately for him, he has suffered several serious setbacks in his promises for reform and the feeling of discontent is no longer limited to the middle classes but has also been felt by the lower classes as well.

The middle classes may be largely responsible to push for the creation of the IPCMC - the rejuvenation of the police force free from the scruples of corruption and malaise of disrespect towards basic human rights.

They may also have called for the creation of a wider platform to openly and respectfully discuss what used to be deemed 'sensitive' but now urgent and relevant issues of race, religion, equality and Malaysian identity, without which we risk to be awash in the tidal waves of globalization.

The lower classes have also starting to feel the pinch with the rise in petrol prices, taxes and electricity tarriffs. The first thing to cross their mind may not be the fine line dividing the jurisdiction of Syariah and civil laws or the proper code of conduct for the police force but that's because the realities of their lives are totally different altogether.

And they cannot be faulted for that.

But the issues of petrol prices and electricity tarrifs do affect them - and it often hits them the hardest - and it won't be long before their simmering discontent turn into outward anger.

And when that happens, Pak Lah will have a real trouble in his hands.

I think what most Malaysians find truly worrying about the current spat between Mahathir and Pak Lah is the repercussions it will bring to the stability of the country - politically, socially and economically.

Truth be told, Malaysians are not used to see the political pendulum of the Government swinging back and forth so violently, so rapidly, so eratically.

Most of us - or the current generation at least - have never lived through any political crisis in our lives, so we are unsure of what to anticipate from the current clash being displayed to us now.

I believe to the products of the older generations - our parents or grandparents - these recent events are relatively tame when compared to the what happened in the transitions between the previous Prime Ministers and to other political in-fightings that occured in their midst.

Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that the outcome of the current clash between Mahathir and Pak Lah is going to be determined just as much by the political manoeuvres at the highest levels and also by the perceptions, opinions and judgements of the people of this country.

I think the very thing that bugs me most about this fiasco between Mahathir and Pak Lah is that the people involved in it tend to think that it is an internal political party issue and therefore should be kept out of the public eyes.

It is not.

It is not simply a matter of a trivial succession issue for the post of the Prime Minister in Malaysia is not hereditary but is a creature of the law and it being the creature of the law is accountable to it.

It is not simply an internal UMNO issue because the issues involves are national issues and the party which runs the country is not solely UMNO but a collection of parties under the banner of Barisan Nasional.

It is not simply an issue of Mahathir's legacy and the need to protect it because the deeds of good men does not require any defending.

It is not simply an issue of reciprocity or gratefulness of the latter to the former because the real masters in the country are not the politicians but the its people.

I am certain that several politicians will continue to follow the developments of this confrontation between Mahathir and Pak Lah in the next few weeks and will readily offer their opinions, views and advice.

But I guess it is difficult to distinguish between the opinions of those who have a stake in the matter and those who have nothing to gain or lose in speaking up.

I believe Pak Lah will confront the issue in good time and in ways befitting his character and personality, be it through explanations provided by his cabinet ministers or by maintaining his 'elegant silence.'

But I truly believe that his best defence is action. Firm and sustained action.

The ambiguity of silence does not to dispel the feelings of uncertainty and apprehension among Malaysians of how this drama will eventually turn out in the end for the respect which that silence commands at the beginning may soon turn into doubt.

The way I see it, let Mahathir asks the questions and let Pak Lah provides the solutions.