WHETHER it the question of timing or not, what is important is the disclosure of Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Akin of what transpired in the parliamentary elections in 2022.
In a more specific sense, it was the recent disclosure by the senior political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he was asked to withdraw the application for recount in the parliamentary constituency of Bagan Datuk.
He was instructed to do by Anwar before the formation of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition government with Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Tapi Sam kita nak tubuh kerajaan”
Bekas calon PH Bagan Datuk kini Ketua Setiausaha Politik PM kongsi detik menerima panggilan telefon dan arahan dari DSAI jam 2.30am pada 20 November 2022 untuk tidak mencabar proses kiraan undi & kemenangan tipis lawannya iaitu Presiden UMNO. pic.twitter.com/DE8zNVazW1
— #UMNONow (@UMNONow) October 14, 2024
For the record, UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi won the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency with a razor thin majority of 348 votes amid a surprising 800 spoilt votes.
If the recount had taken place, there was likelihood of Zahid losing the seat in the four-cornered contest.
Contrary to democratic norms, Shamsul was in a way forced to withhold the recount application to the Elections Commission (EC).
There are some UMNO leaders like Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi saying that it was not only immoral on the party of Shamsul to make the disclosure now – especially the ill timing – and that even if the recount had taken place, there was no guarantee that Shamsul would have won.
The UMNO supreme council member further pointed to past cases of candidates winning elections with small majorities but were able to maintain their victory after being challenged.
The Johor State Legislative Assembly speaker even mooted the idea of Shamsul lodging a police report if he was forced to withdraw his application for a recount.
PMX’s subtle message?
The real question is why Shamsul didn’t reveal the withdrawal earlier but waited until now. What is his political motive?
I am sure that Shamsul would not have divulged this information without the blessing of Anwar. Let us not forget Anwar is the direct boss of Shamsul.
The question that remains unanswered is why did Shamsul make such disclosure now than before.
UMNO leader Puad is too much of a busy body for Shamsul to worry about. Like other UMNO leaders, he is an empty vessel that makes the most noise in the party.
Is there trouble brewing between Anwar and UMNO in the present coalition government? Is Anwar getting tired of putting up with an unpopular UMNO head honcho like Zahid?
Let us not forget that without Anwar’s blessing, Zahid would not have been saved from his corruption charges.
UMNO might have won the two recent by-elections in Nenggiri and Mahkota – back-to-back – but the party remains unpopular among the Malays in the country.
While I am not privy to the politics within the present ruling coalition, there is possibility that Anwar might be thinking of a long-term political coalition for the country.
Such a coalition might be predicated with or without UMNO. Let us not underestimate the behind the scene political manoeuvres that might destabilise UMNO in the long run.
I am sorry that UMNO still remains the albatross around the neck of the PH-led coalition government. – Oct 17, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
