THERE is no denial that near becoming a centenarian twin former premier Tun Dr Mahathir in recent times is just like the Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) – either you love him or you hate him to the core.
A testimony of that is even during the time of ill health – which is nothing surprising given the age of the world’s oldest serving prime minister (PM) – detractors have no qualms taking a swipe to belittle him.
The latest episode is when the ex-PM of 22 years and 22 months was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Tuesday morning (Oct 15) due to a respiratory tract infection.
His long-serving assistant Sufi Yusoff informed that the fourth and seventh Malaysian PM had a cough spell before being taken to the IJN. Tentatively, Dr Mahathir is on sick leave until Oct 25.
Following his untimely admission to IJN, the 99-year-old’s defamation suit hearing against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday (Oct 16) has been postponed until Oct 29.
The nonagenarian’s counsel Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi confirmed that Kuala Lumpur High Court judicial commissioner Gan Techiong allowed the postponement of the proceedings.
Although there are those who despite not liking or agreeing with him still wishing Dr Mahathir a speedy recovery out of respect, there are also those who because of political differences could not give the benefit of doubt that he is truly unwell but just needed to poke fun at him despite his condition.
“My home is my heaven. As long as there is a court case, he hangs out here,” teased Madani backer Adam Yusuf @adamyusuf88) on the X platform while attaching a photo bearing the front view of IJN.
Rumahku syurgaku
Asal ada kes mahkamah je dia lepak sini. pic.twitter.com/YiunXp5YWt
— Adam Yusuf (@adamyusuf88) October 16, 2024
This teaser from Adam Yusuf inevitably opened the flood gates to trolling by pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters who are unlikely to forgive Dr Mahathir for stepping down as PM on his second premiership stint thus leading to both the downfall of the short-lived PH administration and the damning Sheraton Move coup.
“It’s only when the time come to go to court for he can still drive a car at 150 km/h … 🫢🫢🫢” added fellow PH backer Mr.Nazril (@Nazril_Iznil).
One commenter prayed to the All Mighty to extend Dr Mahathir’s lifespan for “he still has pending/unsettled court cases”.
Another likened IJN to a “safehouse” for Dr Mahathir “to hatch his sinister plan” while one netizen supposed that “getting warded at IJN is better than be wheel chair-bound wearing a neck brace”.
As the trolling by his so-called political enemies continues, one commenter eagerly awaits “the so-called good news from IJN”. – Oct 17, 2024
