One doesn’t need the money; one doesn’t have the money.
One thinks he has what it takes to win the case; the other is cocksure he has all the evidence needed to reinforce his argument and augment his defense. Both seem keen to test the outcome. What’s the impetus and logic behind this legal battle?
The tussle between old rivals - both consummate politicians, Mahathir, 97 and Anwar 75, has shaped Malaysian politics for decades. Today these two senior politicians are locking horns again. There was a time when Tun Mahathir and DS Anwar were close friends and firm allies. For more than a decade, the two men worked closely together to bring the country to great heights and prosperity. It started auspiciously. In his second year as PM, in 1982, Dr Mahathir brought Anwar, who was then the prominent activist head of ABIM, a Muslim Youth Movement organization into his Administration. Anwar rose quickly through the Cabinet ranks and by 1993, he was the Finance Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. Then came the unwelcome Asian financial crisis in 1998 that cast a tremendous strain on the country’s economy. The two men then figured out two diametrically opposite approaches to how to manage the economy in order to overcome the difficulties the country was going through. The final decision caused an irreparable split between the two erstwhile buddies. The relationship between them quickly turned sour, rancid even. Anwar was charged in court for sodomy and corruption. He was convicted for corruption and was incarcerated. He eventually spent nearly a decade in jail. This time round whether they will claw at each other’s throat or not can only be seen if Tun M’s suit brought against his one-time protege turned nemesis will eventually be heard in court.
On May 3, Tun Mahathir filed a RM 150 million suit against PMX over the latter’s speech at a special congress in March this year.
This was not the first time DSAI had said or alluded to the fact that Dr Mahathir had shown favours to his friends and to members of his family. So why is Tun Mahathir seeking legal recourse now?
Politics must be the main cause-both are quintessential politicians; pride and self-esteem must also have a play in this scheme of things. Somewhere in the suit, Tun Mahathir urges the court to hear the case as soon as possible because an election is expected to be held in 6 States soon. Tun Mahathir maintained that any delay will affect the public perception of his image - he would be seen in poor light and be placed in a disadvantaged position. Just before this, Anwar, on the other hand, seized the advantage of a convenient congress to depict Tun Mahathir in unflattering terms that eventually invited this legal suit.
Then again, the wily of Tun sees this legal recourse presents yet another little window of opportunity for him to regain some measure of his badly bruised reputation brought about by his humiliating defeat in the last GE. He must be hoping he could exact a win in the impending State poll with the help from the latest motley alliance he has gathered around him.
Really, he wants to be seen still as a relevant force to be reckoned with.
Cynics may wish to warn Tun to be wary of DSAI’s speech, for it may not be a careless or cursory one; it could be a decoy or a trap - DSAI maybe looking for an opening to lure Tun Mahathir into an open court. It is argued that if DSAI was being careless or nonchalant, he would have been caught out in which case he would have apologized when he received the letter of demand for an apology from Tun’s lawyers.
Another set of observations has this rationale to proffer: that for both, it is a matter of pride and self esteem.
Tun Mahathir could not go on being seen as an unfair or even corrupt person who had provided extra judicious opportunities to friends and family members. He must have felt that he should not allow these unfounded allegations to go on without offering a vigorous retort.
DSAI on the other hand, must show the nation that as the reigning PM he meant business and that he was never careless or being frivolous when he made speeches in public or at important forums. Besides, he must strongly indicate that he has the facts and documents to substantiate what he says or does.
Will this legal suit go the distance and be accompanied by high dramas or will it fizzle out with a whip?
One can imagine the fireworks, the drama that will fill the court room if eventually Anwar is called to defend his case in an open court. It is quite conceivable that there will be lots of dirty linen that will get washed when these two major political figures actually come to grips in a court of law.
A battle royal or just another Sandiwara, let us watch with bated breath or with a huge and bored yawn.
Oyang Sen
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