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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright April 2023
When you mention the phrase last tango, the first thought that comes to mind is always "The Last Tango in Paris", starring Marlon Brando, or if you happened to like comedy you'll probably think of "Last Tango in Halifax" or even "Last Tango in Cyberspace" if you were a sci-fi buff.
However, you'll never find "Last Tango in Putrajaya" no matter how long and hard you Google because this is yet to happen or might not even occur if Anwar had his ways.
In this forthcoming saga "The Last Tango in Putrajaya", the antagonists will face off in court (we hope) to state their case with the public holding their breaths in anticipation of what might unfold, consuming popcorns or peanuts or goreng pisang depending upon individual preference or how much snacks you would want to waste on this court drama, if at all it'll ever take place.
Anyway, for now, they have decided to go to court to get a ruling on who's right.
But in this case, it's not just about being right or wrong but it is more about reputation. About bruised egos. About who said what to whom and where it hurts most.
Yet, we know that this route will end up being deadly. It's like a last tango for two old foes in Putrajaya. One might have to die to end this bitterness between the two. In the Last Tango in Paris, the hero dies a tragic death.
However, in this case, dying is the last thing on Tun Mahathir's mind. He must have been extremely offended for what has been said in public by his one time deputy that he fired. He tolerated Anwar for years, he said, when he was PM and Anwar allegedly slandered him. But this time he found it too offensive perhaps to just let it slide.
Anwar too has a reputation to protect. His own. He has uttered those statements and Tun Mahathir demanded that Anwar apologise and withdrew them. But Anwar is adamant. He told the press that he has evidence (six boxes according to RPK) to support his allegations and would only be revealed in court.
"Both men are certainly aware of the price they have to pay in defence of their ego and pride for all their dirty linen will ultimately be washed (and left to dry) in public." - Focus Malaysia
In the end, all the dirty linen might be exposed if they were to go to court. But many in the know say chances are the case would not even go to open court.
So, hold on to your popcorn, goreng pisang and peanuts. Save them for the next circus that comes to town.
Anwar may be playing a game with his old boss taunting Tun Mahathir. He knows as a younger man he has time on his hand and he'll probably outlast his nemesis.
But for Tun Mahathir, this is an ideal platform for one who has no position, no power and nothing to lose. An opportunity to be in the limelight without any cost.
He too would keep taunting Anwar to address the issue and to stop avoiding it till the end of the latter's premiership.
Without settling the allegations the case would be haunting him through to GE16 and by then Tun Mahathir would turn 100. It's the old man's words against his once-promising protegè that the public might not easily forget.
Tun Mahathir will continue to repeat what he said recently about Anwar. "He slandered me in various ways for decades. At that time, when asked to show evidence, he did not show a single piece of evidence even though we heard the story that he had boxes of evidence in his possession,” contended Malaysia’s longest-serving PM (22 years from July 1981 to October 2003).
Yes, Tun Mahathir, let's not wait too long to settle the score. Anwar ought to come clean and show the world what he has. Prove Tun Mahathir wrong, put all doubts to bed, and restore your reputation. Let's not wait for one of you to pass on leaving this issue unresolved.
Anyway, I am hopeful that this dance between Anwar and his former boss may turn out to be charming and sweet like Last Tango in Halifax, which is a moving comedy-drama that delights as it touches hearts of all ages, boasting marvellous performances by its leading actors.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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