In the turbulent landscape of Malaysian politics during his second tenure as prime minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad navigated a treacherous path fraught with internal suspicions and external threats, as revealed in Romen Bose's latest book, 'Shattered Hopes'.
Mahathir, a pivotal figure in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition that came to power in 2018, reportedly harbored deep concerns about internal machinations aimed at undermining his leadership. According to Bose, a former aide to Najib Razak, Mahathir perceived PKR as a more significant threat to his authority compared to DAP, a sentiment rooted in his belief that DAP exhibited greater loyalty towards him. Bose recounts Mahathir's acknowledgment that Lim Guan Eng, a prominent DAP figure, caused him fewer headaches and was more compliant with his directives.
Interestingly, Bose highlights that Mahathir's trust extended notably to Azmin Ali, a lone steadfast supporter from PKR, amidst what the book portrays as a backdrop of suspicion and intrigue within the coalition.
The narrative delves further into the role of the Inspector-General of Police Hamid Bador, who, as a former Special Branch chief, regularly updated Mahathir on alleged plots within PH. Hamid's insights reportedly included detailed briefings on potential rival factions within the government, although Mahathir, as depicted by Bose, chose not to counter these perceived threats by appointing his own loyalists.
Central to Mahathir's political calculus was the contrasting loyalty he perceived from DAP ministers. Bose underscores Mahathir's belief that DAP not only supported his robust policies on critical issues like Singaporean relations but also presented a united front in both Cabinet and public arenas. In contrast, PKR's silence on certain matters indicated, according to Bose, a latent dissatisfaction with Mahathir's assertive stance, particularly concerning Singapore.
The book further explores Mahathir's strategic vision for Malaysian politics, including his aspiration for a grand Malay alliance encompassing Bersatu, PAS, and even Umno. According to Bose, Mahathir entrusted Bersatu's President Muhyiddin Yassin with the daunting task of forging this coalition, a move aimed at consolidating Malay political power amidst the intricate dynamics of PH's multi-ethnic coalition.
Bose's narrative also touches upon the monitoring of DAP leaders by the Special Branch, underscoring suspicions within the government regarding DAP's activities, particularly those of veteran leader Lim Kit Siang. Allegations surfaced in the book suggest that Lim aimed to bolster the Chinese Malaysian community's political influence through initiatives promoting the return of Malaysian Chinese from overseas.
Throughout 'Shattered Hopes', Bose portrays Mahathir as a leader grappling with internal discord while maneuvering against perceived external threats, particularly from factions within his own coalition. The depiction underscores Mahathir's strategic acumen and the complexities of leadership within a coalition government known for its diversity of interests and ideologies.
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