The good news is that a nation that has long been characterized as politically inept, dormant and uncaring has finally awakened to the dynamics of a vibrant democracy, and has, in fact copied the Philippine-patented People Power revolution. The hundreds of thousands of protesters and demonstrators are all wearing yellow, and Central Kuala Lumpur is looking like an EDSA vintage 1986. The bad news is that a government that has long claimed as Asia's model for excellence in governance and integrity in public service, has now been blemished by charges of corruptions, exposed no less than by the Wall Street Journal. Many ASEAN leaders are shocked to hear this crisis in Malaysia.
Led by no less than Dr Mahathir Mohammad, the 90-year senior statesman in the mold of Singapore's late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Hew and a close personal friend of our own FVR, the mass action is expected to escalate to a level and intensity that the current government may not be able to contain. This a major crisis being faced by Prime Minister Najib Razak, the eldest son of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, and ASEAN's co-founder, Tunku Abdul Razak. Dr Mahathir, who was the longest serving Prime Minister, from 1981 to 2003, is now demanding for the removal of Najib Razak. This is very serious then. When Mahathir speaks, the Malaysians listen.
Mahathir declared that: "There is no more rule of law. The only way for the people to get back to the old system is to remove this Prime Minister. We must remove this Prime Minister." Ironically, Najib was a protege of Mahathir. Najib, at the age of 23 was the youngest Member of Parliament in Malaysian history. He joined politics when his father died in 1979. He held such cabinet posts as energy, telecommunications, education, finance and defense. He rose to become Deputy Prime Minister in 2004 when I was posted in Kuala Lumpur as a diplomat. Najib had a very successful career in politics until this mega crisis.
Najib is being charged with alleged anomalies which supposedly involved an amount of about US$700 million, which was exposed by the Wall Street Journal as having allegedly transferred to his personal account. Najib denied this and reasoned that the amount was donated by Middle East supporters. Rosmah Mansor, Najib's wife is also being attacked for her alleged love of luxury and her supposed propensity to go on shopping sprees. The social media were flooded with photos of Rosmah with her many expensive bags. I have heard of many stories about them from OFWs in Malaysia but I would rather keep them to myself.
Najib is now fighting for his political survival. The UMNO (United Malay National Organization) is becoming more and more unpopular. Its leadership is now in crisis. Najib just sacked and ousted his Deputy Prime Minster Muhyiddin Yasmin and installed as replacement, his closest ally Home Affairs Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Najib also eased out the Attorney General Abdul Ghani Patail. But such very crucial moves may even accelerate his ouster because the sacked men had strong following in the Parliament. With Mahathir a strong pillar of UMNO, calling for his ouster, I strongly believe that his days are numbered.
Najib also jailed Anwar Ibrahim last March, then had Anwar's daugther Nurul Izzah Anwar, a member of parliament herself, arrested last Monday for sedition. These appear to be desperate moves of a beleaguered leader who is about to fall. There are many Filipinos who do not like Najib because it is rumored that he is secretly helping the rebels in the south. In fact, I questioned his inordinate role in the forging of the Bangsa Moro framework agreement. That was a clear interference in our internal affairs. Thus, to me, this People Power in Kuala Lumpur is good news for us in the Philippines.