IN Malaysian politics, loyalty is often a currency traded for power, alliances and survival.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent declaration of “unwavering loyalty” to the unity government may seem noble amid his claims of attempts by the Opposition to get Barisan Nasional (BN) to withdraw support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
But one only needs to start until peeling back the layers of his claims and the following question emerges: Is his loyalty rooted in principle or is it a calculated move to ensure his political and personal survival?
The UMNO president’s proclamation comes as his former boss, disgraced ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had on Oct 30 lamented on social media about difficulties in finding good friends.
The Facebook posting – made just after Bossku was ordered to enter defence in a 1MDB corruption case – was likely referring to Zahid’s failure to get him off the hook. This is despite the BN chairman’s pledge to free Najib who’s serving a 12-year jail sentence for abuse of power and corruption.
Zahid was once Najib’s DPM and the duo were a tag team as they faced merciless attacks over the 1MDB debacle prior to the 2018 general election.
‘Survival of the fittest’
Yet while Zahid now enjoys a powerful position in the unity government, Najib’s predicament remains unchanged. Was Zahid’s loyalty to Najib back then genuine or just another stepping stone in his climb to power?
Zahid’s career has long been defined by his ability to adapt. Once a Najib loyalist, he shifted gears after the 15th General Election (GE15) to align UMNO with Pakatan Harapan (PH), a coalition led by UMNO’s long-time adversary Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Today, Zahid frames Anwar as a man of principle though his actions may suggest a different story.
How does someone who fought against Anwar’s agenda for decades – recall the “No Anwar, No DAP” slogan that still resonates among UMNO’s grassroots members – now embrace PMX as a “sibling”?
A leaked phone conversation from 2021 adds to the irony. In the recording, voices resembling Zahid and Anwar discuss UMNO’s direction with Zahid praising Anwar and referring to him as a “cikgu“.
The call hinted at a budding alliance long before their current partnership, suggesting Zahid’s declarations of loyalty may be less about principle and more about strategic alignment.
While Zahid thrives in his role as deputy prime minister, Najib’s incarceration stands as a stark reminder of political pragmatism.
Zahid – now in a position to influence national policy – remains conspicuously quiet about pushing for his former mentor’s release. His assertion that he won’t “betray his friends” rings hollow when juxtaposed against Najib’s plight.
Najib’s lament about betrayal and Zahid’s rise to power reveal a stark truth: loyalty in Malaysian politics is seemingly transactional.
Zahid’s allegiance to Anwar’s unity government seems grounded on political survival as prosecutors dropped his 47 corruption charges on grounds of DNAA (dismissal not amounting to acquittal) in September 2023.
As such, Zahid’s declarations of loyalty raise more questions than they answer. Is he standing by Anwar out of conviction or is it a tactical move in a system that thrives on betrayal?
For now, Zahid enjoys the perks of power but his grassroots, his party and his former mentor are watching closely.
In Malaysian politics, loyalty is rarely about principles. It’s about timing – and Zahid seems to have mastered the game. – Nov 28, 2024
Johan Abu Bakar is a reader of Focus Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
