Mahathir’s staying away from the 12th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Durban reflects an escalation of the political crisis in top government and political leadership

(Petaling Jaya, Monday):  The staying away of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad from the 12th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Durban, South Africa is very significant, as it reflects an escalation of the political crisis in top government and political leadership in the country, which would have a most deleterious effect on the 14-month-long economic crisis.

Mahathir had always given the highest priority to Non-Aligned Movement summits as well as conferences hosted by South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, and when he had to stay away from such important meetings, something very serious is afoot back home.

Mahathir has said that he was very tired as a result of his state-by-state roadshow to explain to the people about the gravity of the economic crisis, which is not very credible - as Mahathir’s roadshow was more political than economic in nature, to consolidate his power position in UMNO and government as well as to prepare the ground for early general elections.

The advanced stage in the power tussle in the highest echelons of office in the land seems to be reaching the end-game when the former Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Ghafar Baba,  is given even greater prominence on radio and television  than the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, especially in the things which are being said by Ghafar.

For instance, Ghafar’s interview over TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) was given prominent coverage by both Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian today. Utusan Malaysia, under the headline, "Ghafar dedah pemimpin jadi tali barut asing", reported:
 

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tun Ghafar Baba hari ini mendedahkan terdapat pemimpin politik yang menjadi tali barut kepada pihak asing dengan membekalkan maklumat kepada mereka.

Tanpa menamakan pemimpin terbabit yang disifatkannya sebagai tidak patriotik dan pandai berpura-pura, beliau mahu kerajaan mengambil tindakan paling tegas ke atas pemimpin berkenaan.

''Di negara asing (tali barut) dikenakan hukuman berat seperti penjara seumur hidup atau ditembak sehingga mati.

''Saya tidak sangka perkara ini turut berlaku di Malaysia. Tindakan menjadi tali-barut asing merupakan satu dosa yang sukar dimaafkan.

''Oleh itu perlu tindakan segera kerana jika tindakan lambat diambil, orang asing akan sempat selamatkan tali barut mereka di negara ini,'' katanya.

Ghafar menegaskan demikian ketika ditemubual dalam rancangan Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) terbitan Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) di Sri Pentas di sini, hari ini.

Beliau ditanya mengenai tindakan segelintir rakyat negara ini yang sanggup menjadi pengkhianat negara dengan memberikan pelbagai maklumat kepada pihak asing semata-mata atas kepentingan tertentu termasuk tujuan peribadi.

Beliau menambah, tindakan segera perlu diambil kerana khuatir pembocoran maklumat akan berulang jika tiada sebarang tindakan keras dikenakan terhadap mereka yang terlibat.

Menurutnya, kerajaan juga tidak boleh teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan demi memastikan keadaan politik dan ekonomi negara sentiasa stabil serta terhindar dari sabarang masalah yang boleh memudaratkan negara.

Tegas Ghafar, pemimpin terbabit sebenarnya merupakan pemimpin yang langsung tidak mempunyai semangat patriotik dan nasionalisme yang penting dalam mempertahankan negara ini dari sebarang bentuk penjajahan.

''Mereka hanya berpura-pura dengan menonjolkan diri sebagai ahli agama, seorang yang bersih dan punyai semangat kebangsaan.

''Hakikatnya, orang ini telah mengelirukan orang ramai, mengabaikan tanggungjawab dan kepercayaan yang diberikan parti serta orang ramai yang menaikkan mereka,'' katanya.

Sementara itu, ketika ditemui oleh pemberita selepas itu, Ghafar menegaskan, pemimpin politik sedemikian tidak harus diberikan kuasa dan tanggungjawab untuk memerintah negara.

Although Ghafar did not name names, it is quite obvious who is the target of his fury.  Ghafar’s TV3 interview has reinforced  recent rumours  that  a very top-ranking political leader  in government would be arrested and charged under the Official Secrets Act

When the Gerakan President and Primary Industries Minister, Datuk Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, can also chime in as to  declare in Penang yesterday that there could only be one leader to guide the country out of the economic doldrums, asserting that "We cannot have too many leaders as that will mean too many policies", it is clear that the "Night of the Long Knives" is not far away.

The national tragedy is that a full eruption of the political crisis in the country would lead to a runaway escalation of the economic crisis with untold damage to the country and people.

(31/8/98)