Dr Mahathir Mohamad creates news in absentia

The former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has had always been a favourite media personality, for he makes good copies. As a prime minister for 22 years until November 1, 2003 he dominated the Southeast Asian region as its spokesman (especially on South-South cooperation), especially in the last decade following Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew stepping down from his nation's CEO post. Indeed, Dr Mahathir still hogs the media limelight even after retirement, because he still makes good copies, sprinkled with witty or pithy quotes, in-your-face opinions, quite often going against the grain in the international political arena.

Despite his absence from the country currently -- on holiday on his ranch in Argentina -- he still is still a news-maker or stealer, and many of the good Doctor's former Cabinet members still surviving in Pak Lah's team must surely wish that Dr Mahathir's presence is not around to haunt them. To the dismay of the long-serving Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, once so close to Dr Mahathir that she was the first to rush to his weeping side on the UMNO General Assembly stage to ask him NOT TO RESIGN as PM just about two yaers ago, at the Putra World Trade Centre, hotbed of UMNO politics. Even as the current UMNO Assembly meets, a lot of hot potatoes left behind by the good doctor would stir heated debates over the next few days, especially over the Approved Permits issue, which made the Iron Lady weep two days ago.

Reading The Star July 20, 2005 more at leisure, the column by Wong Chun Wai as usual provides a base for merriment for people in the know. First quote to Wong, a double Datuk who is a potential candidate to the paper's Group Editor-in-Chief's post:
"The release of the list is the correct thing to do -- there is no reason why it should be kept a secret."

Yes,on first glance, people not in the know would applaud the wise journalist's crack. BUT Desiderata did not see Wong CW advocating this before the national news break on the Iron Lady Sheds Tears. Many bloggers, including JeffOoi's Screenshots, have quoted many quarters asking for the list to be publicised weeks, even months,ago. All was deafening quiet on The Star front until the Iron Lady weeps.

Another quote from an online newspaper editorial dated July 15, 2005:
"In his May 29 column Wong had wished that Mahathir could have done more for the fight against corruption when in power."

Hey, Mr Editor Wong CW, where were you, and why so late in the day after Dr Mahathir had left the highest office then you voiced such brave thoughts in writing "On The Beat"? Desiderata thinks you are in a way "hitting below the belt", though the good doctor responded by holding a press conference the following day or two.

If you had practised true journalism, you should have voiced such views, before Nov 1, 2003?

Maybe come the month after Pak Lah's stepping down as PM in the future, the "same" Wong in you would pen something like this: The former PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should've reined in his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin in his corporate dealins which enriched many of his cronies, and Malaysian corporate world would not have encountered such problems. Intelligent readers here are pretty good at projecting their rich minds a little, and can paint scenarios that Desidarata is getting at, can't you?

Many times in my posts, I have lamented that many Malaysian leaders, which also include Editorial Chiefs, often have been guilty of "Bolting the stable gate after the horse has bolted".I cited as one outstanding example the Government's failed efforts to regain the Malysian scientists, doctors, and other professionals lost to foreign lands. Also, bright, talented performing students and academics NOT awarded scholarships or sabbatical leave, but happily grabbed by neighbouring or other countries further ashore for they see further ahead, unlike our leaders who have no vision beyond their short nose.

Before I close, I think the Tun on holiday, after winning one round on the AP issue -- should ask Pak Lah to re-open the case of (Leader) shares allocation to Bumiputeras -- some worth millions,given to a minister's son-in-law, named FAZRIN AZWAR MOHD NOR.

I agree with an advice given to Weblog readers who alleged some "relative" of the MITI minister had been connected with Naza, hence also the AP allocations,to cite the source and authority. I am one eagle beaver because I too have heard it once too often, and I still believe it's just rumours!

It was Mahathir who decided there was no case to answer after the Anti-Corruption Agency investigations against Rafidah for her involvement in the allotment of
bumiputera shares worth millions to her son-in-law,in the case which also landed
Keadilan leader Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor into trouble with the law.

Maybe a sandiwara will continue. Or will the rakyat see more tears rivering down at the PWTC Great Hall, or riveting our attention in front of the TV screens over the next 48 hours?

Sometimes, Malaysians have wept too, but for entirely different reasons, but once too often,, even such tears have run dry. Agreeth thou with me, Mitochondra, Sabrina Tan or Sdr Imran?