Mr Prime Minister, are you there?

Categories: Malaysia

Tun Mahathir had fired his most stinging attack against Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. Till now Prime Minister Badawi has not personally answer or rebut his criticism. His standard reply has been that Tun Mahathir is free to say what he wants as Malaysia is a democratic country.

In not replying to Tun Mahathir's outburst, Datuk Seri Badawi probably hope that he is on a high moral ground. Unfortunately, his mandate to govern is not based on moral authority but one of popular vote, and answerable to the people. As such by not rebutting any of Tun Mahathir's allegations, would seemed as being weak and indecisive. Granted that the premier, also known as Mr Nice Guy, is not one to be confrontational. However when Tun Mahathir's attacks has been more personal, should not it be time to defend himself? Anything that is less than a rebuttal would be seen being weak.

Observers have also defended PM Badawi's decision to remain silent because they felt that this would prevent in-fighting in UMNO. I beg to differ. By remaining silent, especially after the latest personal attack, he would be seen to be weak. Further, now there is an added dimension in Mahathir-Badawi squabble, in Datuk Seri Najib. Now, not only Badawi has to show Malaysians who is in charge, but also to convince his supporters why their support is not wasted. On top of that he has to convince other factions within UMNO why he is still relevant to the party leadership. Keeping mum certainly will not help his cause.

Tun Mahathir has maintained that he has nothing personal and is not against Badawi's government. All he wanted was answers. And I think he has a right to answers just any ordinary people. By choosing to keep quite, or delegating his ministers to address the issues, Badawi has unwittingly give the 'tidak apa' (can't be bother) impression. It even hints of having something to hide in the decision making. After all, being voted to power by the people, it is only right that the people be given an explanation. This is even more pertinent because contradictory decisions are being made by essentially the same cabinet sans the premier.

Datuk Seri Badawi has been known to be very loyal to Tun Mahathir when he was his deputy. Therefore it is not surprising if the only reason why he has kept quiet was because of his respect to Tun Mahathir. However I feel that there is a limit to what people can say even for a former Prime Minister. Whereas previously Tun Mahathir has attacked the cabinet as a whole, the lastest one has been rather personal. A normal person, no matter how respectful he is, would be expected to respond. I am sure given the long service as a Foreign Minister, PM Badawi is well verse with the nuance of nicety and diplomacy. He can rebut all the points highlighted by Tun Mahathir without the slightest hint of being disrespectful or confrontational. Hopefully PM Badawi will act soon before the rakyat and UMNO gets tired with the Mr Nice Guy tag.