Mahathir the mouth or mouse next year?

New Straits Times – 24 December 2005

IF THERE is one thing this year has shown about former premier Tun Mahathir Mohamad, it is that his biting wit is still very much intact. When he retired in 2003, he had promised to keep his peace. But that ended as soon as he suspected his legacy was being questioned. Tun Mahathir, 80, broke his silence, loudly, when his cherished Proton, the national car company, was made to face what he saw as unfair competition from foreign cars. The drama kept Malaysians glued to the news for months as accusations and counter-accusations flew. 

By then, it was also no secret that Tun Mahathir had plenty of other grouses about the new administration, besides that over Proton. He spoke frequently about his grievances in private conversations that soon became public. In particular, he was said to be upset about the snide remarks that rampant corruption and over-spending during his tenure had created problems for the new administration. 

At a talk organised by a private think tank on Dec 10, the eve of the Asean Summit, Tun Mahathir openly criticised several policies of the government, albeit in fairly temperate language. Singapore was not spared. Raising the issue of a proposed bridge to replace the Causeway, he said sarcastically that 'the present government plays golf and pats each other on the back. But after two years, the bridge is still not built'. 

So far, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has not reacted to his predecessor's constant needling. But that may be changing. When Tun Mahathir criticised government policy at the think tank talk, the New Straits Times carried a quick rebuttal. 

Each major point made by the former premier was countered by a minister or official. The report was also prefaced by a preamble that recalled the former prime minister's pledge not to interfere in the new administration. That was seen as a direct challenge to Tun Mahathir and prompted speculation that he was skating on thin ice. Some observers believe he runs the risk of an open attack by his former colleagues, and even the media, if he continues to take on the present administration. 

Thus all eyes - and ears - are on Tun Mahathir, for signs of whether he will become even more vocal next year, or retreat into silence once and for all.

Source: New Straits Times | www.nst.com.my