“THIS is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests,” so observed black American politician William L. Clay (born 1931).
How true is this in the case of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – two men who have gone one full cycle from superior-subordinate to political foes (1998 Reformasi movement) to political ally (in the aftermath of the 2018 national polls) and back to becoming political foes again.
Interestingly, the duo who know each other so well – probably as far back as three decades if not more – are unable to put their differences aside lest allowing ill-feeling or suspicion to linger on to the extent that they would ultimately have to lock horn in the civil court.
Both men are certainly aware of the price they have to pay in defence of their ego and pride for all their dirty linen will ultimately be washed (and left to dry) in public.
Perhaps this is the best conclusion for them – a battle royale – that will once and for all bring a closure to their animosity. This could even be a feast for the eyes that a global audience is raring to watch.
As it is, Anwar who was the world’s longest PM-in-waiting at 26 years is all ready to take on Dr Mahathir who was the world’s oldest PM (94 at the time of his resignation in his second stint as a premier in February 2020) over claims that the latter had enriched his family while in office as PM.
The nonagenarian had demanded that his once disciple withdraw his remarks made at a PKR congress last month or be sued for defamation. A letter of demand was issued to Anwar on March 28 asking him to make a retraction and a public apology. Earlier yesterday (April 17), Dr Mahathir even reminded Anwar that his time to respond was up.
But Anwar being Anwar will not budge from his claims and is even prepared to back the statements he made with proof, thus paving way to a courtroom showdown with Dr Mahathir’s lawyer confirming that the former has decided to have his day in court to answer allegations he has made against his once superior.
“After the two-week request ended yesterday (April 17), Merss Thomas Philips had responded to the demand letter from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” Dr Mahathir’s lawyer Rafique Rashid pointed out in a statement issued by the Law Practice of Rafique today.
“The letter in reply merely denied all claims without any evidence or proof given with the excuse that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will answer the claims in court.”
This revelation runs parallel with a statement by Anwar’s lawyer, Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi who was cited by Free Malaysia Today yesterday (April 17) as saying “We are ready to answer any allegations in court” if Dr Mahathir proceeds with the suit.
Interestingly, in his latest Facebook post today under the heading “Cari Gaduh” (Looking for a Fight), Dr Mahathir took a jab at Anwar whom he claimed “during a dialogue with university students had said that he did not want to fight with me (Dr Mahathir)”.
“This is a bit strange. He slandered me in various ways for decades. At that time, when asked to show evidence, he did not show a single piece of evidence even though we heard the story that he had boxes of evidence in his possession,” contended Malaysia’s longest serving PM (22 years from July 1981 to October 2003).
“I did not take action (back then) because I thought it was the act of someone who was desperate because he over-zealously wanting to be PM. But today, when he has become PM, he still continues to slander. So, I request a retraction, otherwise, I will take legal action. That’s what I actually did. So, who’s looking for a fight?”
May the best man win. – April 18, 2023
