ASSESSING THE SERVICES OF THE STATE AUTHORITY OFFICER!

I AM INTERESTED IN THIS ARTICLE, I DON’T KNOW THE AUTHOR… A SENDING FROM MY FRIEND..
UNDERSTANDING TUN MAHATHIR’S ACTIONS

Many still do not understand Tun Mahathir’s actions against the Bersatu party’s cooperation with UMNO. Many have criticized and insulted Tun on the grounds that he is preventing the unification of Malay political cooperation. There are also those who have accused Tun of becoming a riding horse for DAP and worshipping the party.

I have stated before that if we want to understand Tun’s action against the Bersatu collaboration with UMNO, we must look at it from the perspective of a statesman who loves his country. If we only look at it from a purely political perspective, we will definitely not be able to find any answers. Many do not understand this matter and some are willing to insult and throw various wild accusations at a leading statesman of the country. Their actions are truly sad.

Many forget that Tun, who was born in 1925, was a small remnant of the witnesses of World War II who were still alive in this country. He personally experienced life under colonization and saw firsthand how his people were insulted, kicked and stabbed by other people. So, don’t blame Tun if his spirit to uphold the dignity of the people and the country was always at an extraordinary level. The colonial era, the world war era, the communist emergency era, the era of opposing the Malayan Union, the era of demanding independence. Tun experienced all of those eras himself. So, who are we to dispute Tun’s spirit of struggle.

If we read his life history, we can know that, in his teenage years, Tun had already done work pasting anti-colonial posters, writing on the chests of newspapers to inflame and ignite the spirit of the Malays in demanding independence, writing books on entrepreneurship and many more to fight for the fate of the Malay race. I also list here some of the brave actions that Tun has taken for the sake of religion, race and country to remind readers who Tun is.

When he first became a member of parliament, he spoke out and fought for the rights of the Malays to the point of being labeled an “ultra” Malay. He was not afraid to criticize leaders to the point where he himself was expelled from the UMNO party. Such was Tun’s spirit and courage when fighting for matters involving the dignity and interests of the race and the country.

When he became Prime Minister, one of the first things Tun did was to order the deployment of troops in Terumbu Layang Layang, Sabah to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from being encroached upon by neighboring countries. This was due to threats and territorial disputes in the Semarang Peninjau Group or better known as the Spratly Islands. To further strengthen his claim and expand the coverage of Malaysia’s EEZ, Tun acted decisively and boldly by reclaiming the sea and subsequently upgrading Terumbu Layang Layang into a man-made island. Pulau Layang Layang was subsequently developed as a military base and world-class resort. This action further strengthened Malaysia’s claim to the areas surrounding the island which are known to be rich in petroleum resources. As a result of Tun’s bold action, the country was able to secure its sovereignty and receive an abundance of economic benefits to this day.

Two months after becoming Prime Minister, Tun launched a very cunning corporate maneuver that is still famous today as the “Dawn Raid” which was the surprise takeover of the world’s leading plantation company Guthrie through the London Stock Exchange. This classic and epic event that shook the corporate world allowed Malaysia to regain control of more than 100,000 hectares of plantation land in the country and abroad that had previously been arbitrarily exploited by the British. When the British government tried to respond by eliminating subsidies and increasing education fees by 3 times for more than 17,000 Malaysian students studying there, Tun responded by introducing the “Buy British Last” policy. Tun also acted to boycott attending the 1981 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Melbourne and 1983 in New Delhi as a sign of protest against the actions of the British government. Not only that, Tun demanded the return of Carcosa Hill which was given free of charge by Tunku Abdul Rahman to the British government after independence. As a result of Tun’s bold and decisive actions, the British government led by Margaret Thatcher was forced to yield by providing a special fund for educational assistance to Malaysian students totaling £160 million and returning Carcosa Hill to Malaysia in 1984.

During the 1997 Asian currency crisis, Tun insisted on overcoming the crisis using his own methods without receiving aid and bailouts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This was because the aid package from the IMF also demanded that every country practice the concept of a free market where each country’s economy should be open to outsiders without any conditions. There were no more restrictions on any steps of ownership of the country’s strategic assets by foreigners. Realizing the risks and economic threats that would be faced, especially by the Malays, if the government had to submit to the IMF’s wishes, Tun made a very bold and decisive decision by acting against the tide. What I mean by “acting against the tide” is that Tun took steps that were completely contrary to what was proposed by economic thinkers from the West. The steps of lowering interest rates, setting currency rates and capital controls almost caused Malaysia to become a pariah of the world. The world, especially Western countries, condemned Malaysia’s actions. Friendly countries such as Japan and Korea also distanced themselves from Malaysia. However, for the sake of the country’s interests, Tun remained firm with his decision. And history has proven that Tun’s actions were correct and very wise. Even several years after the crisis passed, the IMF and the head of hedge fund company, George Soros himself admitted their mistakes and praised the steps taken by Tun in dealing with the currency crisis.

When the administration of Tun Abdullah Badawi (Pak Lah) was seen to be too friendly with Singapore and several issues arose such as the cancellation of the “Crooked Bridge” project and there was a large-scale sale of sand to the republic, Tun came out of retirement and rose to criticize Pak Lah openly. Tun felt humiliated by the reason that we had to get permission first from Singapore to carry out any construction activities in our own country. (referring to the Crooked Bridge project) This reason seemed to illustrate that Malaysia had lost its self-respect, lost its sovereignty and became a pacifist to other countries.

When the 1MDB scandal exploded and became the focus of the world, Malaysia’s name and reputation were badly tarnished. The world community looked down on Malaysia and its leaders. Some made the country’s leaders the butt of jokes and halwa when stupid excuses like the 2 billion donation from the Arab King were used by Najib to defend himself. These stupid excuses only strengthened the world community’s view that Najib was lying and was guilty of the 1MDB scandal. Only Najib’s staunch supporters in the country were still willing to accept this deception even though the world community only laughed at him because the excuses he gave were too stupid and not supported by any clear evidence. Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world and has millions of followers on social media, has chosen the book “Billion Dollar Whale” which tells the story of the country’s leaders’ misconduct in the 1MDB scandal as his favorite reading book. He called it “It’s a sad story of corruption and international finance”. A sad story about corruption and international finance. Imagine the extent of the humiliation that Malaysia endured at that time when great world-class personalities also expressed their disgust and disgust at the corrupt and breach of trust activities carried out among the country’s leaders.

At first, Tun several times gently reprimanded Najib to resign with honor to save the country’s dignity. Tun’s advice was rejected by Najib in a very rude manner. No one will forget the insults of “Kepala Bapak Kau” that Najib addressed to Tun. Then he was greeted with the rude actions of UMNO leaders who took turns insulting Tun on the basis of wanting to continue to support and legalize Najib’s robbery activities. The stubbornness of UMNO leaders who still loyally supported Najib finally gave Tun no other choice but to cooperate with the DAP party and his long-time enemy Anwar Ibrahim. We must realize that Tun needs to bring down Najib’s administration to save the country’s dignity from being labeled as a kleptocrat country with thick corruption and breach of trust among its leaders. Tun also wants to save the country from incurring a huge debt that not only we but also our grandchildren have to bear as a result of the 1MDB disaster and catastrophe.

All of Tun’s actions that I have mentioned clearly show that when the dignity and interests of the country are threatened, Tun will definitely rise up and bravely go to the front lines to defend and fight for it. There is no doubt and no more hesitation. This is the character of a statesman who loves and cherishes his country.

Dear readers. The names of Tun Dr Mahathir and Malaysia are intertwined and cannot be separated anymore. Like Mahatma Gandhi in India and Nelson Mandela in South Africa, the name Mahathir is resounding throughout the world and it indirectly also elevates the name of Malaysia itself. Tun is a world-class leader, a source of inspiration and follower of many observers. He is the focus and topic of study of the intellectual community and is often invited to share experiences and ideas at international forums. His opinions and views on an issue are often eagerly awaited. His speeches at world-class conferences and forums are often eagerly awaited.

We still remember how representatives from countries around the world lined up to shake Tun’s hand after he finished speaking at the UN General Assembly last year. We still remember how hotel workers in Japan lined up to salute and applaud Tun as he was about to board the vehicle that took him to the airport to return home. We still remember how Indonesian President Joko Widodo set aside protocol when he was willing to wait at the boarding stairs of the plane when welcoming Tun’s arrival to Indonesia. We still remember how Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted that he felt nervous when he met Tun. We still remember how Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted on paying a courtesy call on Tun at Tun’s residence in The Mines even though Tun was no longer the Prime Minister at that time. All of them were very impressed by Tun’s character and authority. He was so respected and a source of inspiration not only to the world community but also to world leaders.

But, imagine what would happen if Tun were seen collaborating and becoming friends again with a kleptocrat regime that is looked down upon by the entire world community? What would happen to the world community’s view of Tun? What would happen to the world community’s view of the country of Malaysia? Of the Malay race? Of the Islamic religion?

If Tun accepts UMNO and Najib Razak again, the world community will consider Tun a hypocrite and full of hypocrisy. The Malaysian nation, especially the Malays, is seen as a corrupt, untrustworthy and dishonorable nation! Or the Malays are a nation that is too stupid and easily deceived to still accept and elevate a super corrupt leader like Najib as a leader and leader of the country. In short, this beloved Malaysia will be looked down upon and become a pariah of the world. Tun as a statesman who loves his country will certainly not allow this to happen. That is why Tun strongly, so strongly, opposes the political cooperation between the Bersatu party and UMNO to the point of being willing to resign his position as Prime Minister.

The greatness of this person named Mahathir bin Mohamad has actually opened up many opportunities for Malaysia. He has elevated the name of Malaysia to a country that is respected and admired by the world community. How many business and investment opportunities have been obtained in countries that are so respectful of Malaysia and Mahathir? Countries such as Japan, Turkey, Bosnia, Cuba, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and African countries greatly admire us. Just capitalizing on the names of Malaysia and Mahathir is enough to open up business and investment opportunities and subsequently give advantages to our country’s entrepreneurs. Imagine how these advantages will be destroyed if the world community no longer respects us. Imagine how business and investment opportunities will simply disappear if the world community looks down on us with disgust and contempt.

Tun has stated several times that he does not care about the legacy he will leave behind. He leaves it to society and history to judge and punish him later. We must realize and admit that Tun did all this only because of the dignity of his religion, race and country. To save the dignity of his religion, race and country from being insulted by the world community. He did this not for his own benefit or to raise his son to be Prime Minister. Tun may not have much time left. But as long as life is contained in the body. As long as the spirit is not invited by God. Broken beak on a crutch. For the sake of this country he loves, Tun will fight until the last drop of blood until the end of his life. That is the reflection of a world-class statesman. May Allah swt bless Tun’s struggle.