In politics, the wind of conviction often blows in different directions depending on who holds the umbrella of power. Few exemplify this better than Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - a leader whose long political journey mirrors Malaysia’s evolving relationship with street protests, free speech, and dissent.
The latest remarks by US ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, have reignited this irony.
Speaking to Free Malaysia Today, Kagan noted that protests near the US Embassy - whether against American foreign policy, support for Palestine, or criticisms of Washington’s stance on Israel - reflect a shared “commitment to freedom of expression.” He cheekily added that it was “interesting to see how some leaders who once opposed demonstrations now support them,” hinting without specifically naming names at none other than Dr Mahathir himself.
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The irony is deep. Back in 2001, Mahathir was firm in declaring that “street demonstrations are not part of Malaysian culture.” The government under his watch routinely cracked down on protests, labelling them threats to national stability. He once lashed out at then US vice-president Al Gore, who openly supported Malaysia’s Reformasi protesters following Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking in 1998, calling Gore’s endorsement “rude interference” in Malaysia’s affairs.
Fast forward to 2016, and a different Mahathir emerged. The same man who once said protests are not allowed to topple a democratically elected government was now leading crowds in Bersih rallies calling for Najib Razak’s resignation over the 1MDB scandal - a movement that relied precisely on the street dissent he once condemned.
By 2022 and 2025, the cycle repeated. Mahathir joined forces with opposition figures to lead rallies demanding Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s resignation, citing “abuse of power” and loss of moral legitimacy. The former iron-fisted prime minister who once used laws like the Internal Security Act to silence dissent now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with protesters demanding reform and accountability.
Kagan’s observation - that the United States welcomes these protests as “a sign of shared values on free speech” - reveals a deeper paradox within Malaysian politics: the moral elasticity of those who shift from suppressors to supporters of dissent whenever the seat of power changes to suit their political convenience.
In truth, Mahathir’s evolution on protest politics reflects both personal and national contradictions. Malaysia’s democratic space has widened since his first tenure, yet the ghosts of selective tolerance still linger. When protests serve one’s political ends, they are hailed as “people’s power.” When they threaten authority, they are condemned as “public disorder.” How ironic - the contradictions of political games and power plays by self-absorbed politicians who exploit the people merely to gain influence!
As Ambassador Kagan quipped with diplomatic wit, “We’ll take this as a sign of shared appreciation for freedom of speech - and as the ambassador of the United States, I just want to say we accept your apology.”
It was a remark laced with the irony of leaders who double-speak - and perhaps a reminder that the arc of democracy, in Malaysia as elsewhere, is written not just in laws, but in the changing convictions of those who once refused to let the people speak.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
Fmt , TheGuardian , Cnn , RakyatPost
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