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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright October 2022
Zahid may learn a thing or two from King Canute and the tide.
Zahid has made it clear that UMNO prefers to have GE15 within this year some time between October and December when the monsoon arrives on our shores.
He said that he and BN are willing to wade the tides if GE15 was held during the monsoon much to the dismay of other parties and NGOs who are opposed to the idea.
The story of King Canute and The Tide is an anecdote that illustrates the humility of the Great King Canute that UMNO President Zahid Hamidi may find useful in making his decisions about holding elections in flooding seasons.
In the story, Canute showed his flattering retinue that he has no control over the tide. He explained that secular power is vain compared to that of the Almighty's.
Canute set his throne by the shore. He then commanded the tide to halt and not wet his feet. But the tide continued to rise dashing over his feet and legs without respect for his royal status.
Then the king leapt backwards, saying: 'Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws." He then hung his gold crown on a cross, and never wore it again.
Back to Zahid the President of UMNO the biggest Malay political party in this small nation of ours together with his fellow "oligarchs" commanded their Vice President cum Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri, to dissolve Parliament and call for an election immediately because Zahid claimed that the Opposition is not prepared.
Apparently, he knew full well that voters would not show up in large numbers during the monsoon thus giving BN a better chance to win.
In fact, speculations are rife that if GE15 was held during a monsoon BN-UMNO would win a landslide victory because of overall low voter turn out.
But our King who is obviously more humble than Zahid sought a briefing from Meteorological Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department on the coming monsoon season just before he was to meet the PM who many said was seeking an audience to dissolve Parliament to make way for an early election.
Palace watchers knew that the briefing was a clear message to all about the King's concern on holding an election in bad weather that might adversely affect the well being of the people.
The PM did meet the King on the appointed day but there was no mention of dissolution or election when the meeting was over.
The PM must have understood the subtle message from the palace and did not raise the issue of dissolution of Parliament as Zahid and his oligarchs demanded.
President Zahid ought to be by the shore in his fancy shoes one day soon and like Canute ought to try commanding the tide not to dash over his feet.
Perhaps once the tide ruins his expensive footwear he might understand what Canute meant when he said how empty and worthless is the power of kings, or that of President's, for there is none more worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws not set by man.
The General Election is certainly coming but it is not going to be at a time when Zahid Hamidi and his oligarchs demanded.
Zahid might want to follow in the footsteps of King Canute and hang his Presidential hat on a pole by the sea and take a vow not to ever command time and tide in the future for obvious reasons.
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