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MAY 12, 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 18 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
Shape Up Or Lose Out Expect Mahathir to shock UMNO meet with warnings Politics, like diplomacy, is as much about impressions as realities. How true this is of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the longtime president of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and prime minister of Malaysia. He has singlehandedly, through political courage, undisguised contempt for the opposition and sheer determination - exhibiting qualities rare in Malaysian leadership - shaped UMNO and Malaysia since coming to power in 1981. Economic success (except for the Crisis, from which Malaysia has almost completely recovered) plus his calculated defiance of conventional wisdom have distinguished his administration from those of his three Anglophile predecessors since Independence in 1957. Indeed, the economic success, high-profile independent foreign policy and dramatic political changes at home are the hallmarks of his rule, even perhaps his enduring legacy. Mahathir's address, a "state of the union" report, at the 54th UMNO general assembly on May 11, will be historic - even dramatic. Plain-speaking, he will be even more frank than usual. I hazard a guess that he will shock the 2,004 delegates and 2,000-plus guests and observers by telling them in no uncertain terms to upgrade their ideas, improve their behavior and work harder or they will be out sooner than they realize. They and UMNO must not only change but be seen to have changed if they're not to become relics in the fast-changing political landscape. He is also worried about the drug problem affecting mainly bumiputra (Malays and other indigenous races): There are 300,000 registered addicts and another 300,000 under the influence of drugs. Malaysian life and politics have changed unrecognizably in very many ways under Mahathir, including some not promised by him when he assumed power. In any event, he will remain the nation's undisputed leader until his last breath. His third chosen successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is willing to wait - unlike his predecessors Musa Hitam and Anwar Ibrahim. The other former deputy president of UMNO and deputy prime minister, Ghafar Baba, was an interim appointment. In Mahathir's speech, entirely crafted by him, there will be much about the success of the selective capital controls and, more surprisingly, about corruption - the serious threat that corrupt leaders may succeed him and Abdullah. Also, he will stress the urgent need for UMNO and bumiputras to redefine themselves and readjust their goals in order to attract contemporary bumiputra support and the new generation of Malaysians. Mahathir wants bumiputras to catch up with the latest technology. Malaysia must play in the big league because, he insists, it has the capacity and capability to be there. Expect him to mount a stinging attack on the opposition, their Western patrons, and in particular Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) for its "holier-than-thou" attitude. Islam, he insists, is a progressive, forward-looking and disciplined religion. It does not debilitate its followers. Pas, through extremist ideas and edicts, is dividing the bumiputras and playing into the hands of Western powers and the orientalists. He wants his co-religionists to follow the true teaching of Islam which, according to him, is not inconsistent with technology, modernization and development. He wants them to distinguish true Islam from the political Islam of Pas. Mahathir will speak on human rights, globalization, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations. He will elaborate on the negative aspects of democracy, although he insists, even privately, that democracy is the best form of government ever devised by man. He will say there is no such thing as unbridled media freedom. He will rebut international criticism of him and Malaysia and lambast Western double standards and their fondness of interfering in nations they dislike through support of the opposition. As Mahathir and Abdullah have won the presidency and deputy presidency uncontested, attention has turned to the three vice presidents' posts. Of the nine candidates, the favorites, it seems, are incumbent Najib Tun Razak, the defense minister, and Osu Sukam, chief minister of Sabah and the state's UMNO chief. The third slot will go to one of the other three chief ministers contesting - Selangor's Abu Hassan Omar, Johor's Ghani Othman and Negri Sembilan's Isa Samad. They, like Osu, are first-timers. All candidates, including the 63 fighting for the 25 seats on UMNO's Supreme Council, have pledged on oath that they will not "practice money politics, corrupt politics or engage in corrupt practice" - a promise easy to make but hard to keep. Still, many sneaky campaign practices have occurred - handing out coupons for free Kentucky Fried Chicken, french fries and drink (alas, they cannot exchange coupons for cash), as well as spreading rumors about opponents, character assassination, giving travelers' checks and promising state awards and honors. On the evening of May 11, I expect a provincial state chieftain to be catapulted into the national limelight, making him a probable deputy prime minister, even a potential PM, and altering the political landscape within a decade. Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
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