In a rebuttal aimed at correcting what he perceives as distortions in the narrative of Malaysia's recent political history, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has dismissed the book "Shattered Hopes" authored by Romen Bose. He accuses the book of perpetuating half-truths and falsehoods attributed to former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, suggesting these distortions were intended to present Dr. Mahathir favorably.
Lim Guan Eng, known for his outspoken criticism, asserted that the book fails to accurately reflect Dr. Mahathir's actions and decisions during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration following their victory in the 2018 general election. According to Lim, initial cooperation between PH and Dr. Mahathir deteriorated rapidly as policy disagreements emerged.
He highlighted instances where Dr. Mahathir allegedly threatened to dismiss him during cabinet meetings, particularly in disputes over reducing toll rates on major highways and implementing open tenders for government contracts. Despite these challenges, Lim claims to have successfully rallied support from other cabinet members for these initiatives, despite Dr. Mahathir's objections.
Moreover, Lim criticized Dr. Mahathir's proposal to ban UMNO, Malaysia's historically dominant political party, as a violation of fundamental rights to freedom of association. He asserted that this proposal was ultimately thwarted with the support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, underscoring internal rifts within the PH coalition.
The DAP chairman also referenced Dr. Mahathir's purported dissatisfaction with Tony Pua, a prominent DAP MP and Lim's political secretary. According to Lim, Dr. Mahathir attempted unsuccessfully to remove Pua from his position, illustrating further tensions within the coalition government.
The book "Shattered Hopes," authored by Romen Bose, a former political aide to ex-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, purports to chronicle the rise and fall of Malaysia's "New Malaysia" under the administrations of Pakatan Rakyat and Perikatan Nasional. Bose's perspective, rooted in his political background, aims to provide insights into the promises made, the realities faced, and the eventual collapse of these governments.
Lim Guan Eng's critique of the book and his assertions about Dr. Mahathir's tenure reflect ongoing political tensions and divergent interpretations of historical events among Malaysia's political elite. By challenging the portrayal in "Shattered Hopes," Lim seeks to set the record straight and present a more nuanced view of the internal dynamics and policy disputes that marked the PH government's brief tenure.
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