By: Kpost
The battle of political metaphors in Malaysia has taken a dramatic turn as the war of words between political veterans intensifies.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently described UMNO’s presence in the unity government as being "nothing more than flies," a remark that immediately sparked reactions from UMNO leaders, particularly its president, Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Lion’s Roar to Fly’s Buzz
Dr Mahathir’s comment was in response to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who dismissed UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh’s criticism, stating that “a lion doesn’t argue with a fly.” Mahathir took this further, suggesting that UMNO had meekly accepted this belittling remark, solidifying their status as mere background noise in the coalition.
Zahid, however, was quick to brush off Mahathir’s jibe. "We should show him respect as he is of a certain age but I do not respect his opinion," Zahid said during MCA’s Chinese New Year open house, clearly indicating that while Mahathir’s legacy is acknowledged, his words hold little weight within UMNO.
UMNO: A Fly or a Venomous Snake?
Not one to sit silently, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr. Puad Zarkashi took the metaphor battle to another level. Rejecting Mahathir’s description of UMNO as a mere fly, Puad countered, saying that the party is more like a “venomous snake.” He claimed that Mahathir had once attempted to destroy UMNO to pave the way for Bersatu, but in an ironic twist of fate, it was Mahathir himself who ended up politically homeless after being ousted from Bersatu by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Puad reminded Mahathir that his downfall began after Bersatu suffered a humiliating defeat in the Tanjung Piai by-election in 2019. From there, Mahathir was left “flying” from one political shelter to another from first launching Pejuang, then forming Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), before finally fading into political irrelevance.
The Politics of Labels: More Than Just Name-Calling?
The exchange of metaphors ~ flies and snakes ~ reflects more than just political banter. It symbolizes the ongoing struggle within Malaysian politics, where power is constantly shifting, and past alliances are now bitter rivalries.
Mahathir’s jabs at UMNO suggest that the party has lost its once-dominant influence, reduced to playing second fiddle in the unity government led by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Meanwhile, UMNO leaders like Zahid and Puad are pushing back, asserting that the party still wields enough power to be a force to be reckoned with.
This public sparring highlights the fragility of Malaysia’s political landscape. The fact that a single remark from Mahathir in the news for relevance can stir such reactions from UMNO leaders reveals deep-seated insecurities within the party. While they may dismiss Mahathir’s words as pettiness, their strong responses suggest that the sting of his critique still lingers.
As Malaysian politics continues its intricate dance, one thing is clear: flies may buzz, and snakes may strike, but the real question remains as to who is truly in control of the future of politics?
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