Mahathir refused to accept Wan Azizah’s resignation
And Mahathir knows this is what Anwar fears most. So, Mahathir does not want Wan Azizah to resign to make way for Anwar. Let Wan Azizah remain as deputy prime minister and let Anwar sweat it out. As what Wan Azizah told Marina Yusof, “I have had to suffer in Anwar’s shadow for so long. It is now my turn to be in charge.”
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Anwar Ibrahim knew something was wrong soon after the Port Dickson by-election in October last year when prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad refused to accept Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s resignation as deputy prime minister.
Yes, Wan Azizah met Mahathir four months ago and told him she would like to step down as deputy prime minister. Since Anwar had won the Port Dickson by-election let him take over. After all, she was merely a stop-gap candidate meant to warm the seat until Anwar obtained his pardon and won a parliament seat in a by-election. And all that has already happened.
But Mahathir said no. Mahathir said Wan Azizah should at least serve two years as deputy prime minister and then when she steps downs she can at least enjoy the pension of a deputy prime minister. After all, the arrangement is for Anwar to take over as prime minister in two years’ time, not take over as deputy prime minister in five months’ time.
Wan Azizah told Mahathir she wants to resign as deputy prime minister to make way for Anwar but Mahathir said no
There is really not much work for a deputy prime minister to do, anyway. So, what’s the problem? Even cabinet ministers have more work to do than a deputy prime minister. A deputy prime minister is merely a ‘reserve player’ who will be called onto the field in the event something happens to the prime minister, like in the case of Tun Hussein Onn when Tun Razak Hussein died suddenly.
Wan Azizah then told Mahathir she cannot take any more. And Mahathir knew what she meant. For years Anwar had been physically plus mentally abusing Wan Azizah. There was even a time when Wan Azizah had seriously contemplated filing for a divorce. Anwar’s physical and mental abuse of Wan Azizah was a most guarded secret — even more closely guarded than the secret of Anwar’s penchant for young men and boys — and known to only a few close friends.
Once Wan Azizah went running to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali to mengadu. Wan Azizah was losing her mind and wanted Mahathir’s help to speak to Anwar. To make matters worse, Anwar was becoming too open and very reckless in his relationship with those of the same sex.
Mahathir sent the former IGP Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar to speak to Anwar. And Hanif did not go alone. He brought along one of the directors of Genting Berhad to bear witness to the meeting.
Mahathir sent Hanif to speak to Anwar and this secret came out during Anwar’s sodomy trial in 1999
Anwar, of course, admitted the meeting did take place but he denied what was discussed. Anwar said it was he who called for the meeting and the purpose was to advice Hanif to resign as the Genting Chairman since gambling is haram in Islam. Anwar said Hanif replied tongue-in-cheek that the Quran mentions gambling is haram but it does not mention it is haram to become the chairman of a gambling company.
In the meeting last October, Wan Azizah told Mahathir that Anwar is very upset and stressed out that he has to wait to become prime minister and Anwar’s fear is that he may never become prime minister. So maybe if Anwar is made the deputy prime minister he would be less stressed and not take it out on Wan Azizah too much. This would spare her the abuse she is receiving at Anwar’s hand.
Mahathir said if Anwar was made the deputy prime minister in no time at all he would make his move to oust his boss and take over as prime minister. It is in Anwar’s nature to plot and scheme and he is only happy when he is plotting and scheming. So, instead of making Anwar the deputy prime minister, Mahathir might as well make Anwar the prime minister because with Anwar as the deputy he would not be safe anyway.
Under this charade is a wife-beater and an abused wife
The only way Anwar can oust Mahathir would be through a vote of no confidence in parliament. Today, Anwar does not dare call for that vote of no confidence because he is not sure he can pull it off. As the deputy prime minister, however, this will give Anwar the courage and confidence to go for it.
Anwar’s problem is he tried to do the same thing in 1998 and ended up in jail. Then he tried it again in 2008 and ended up in jail again. So, this had made Anwar scared that if he tries the same thing a third time he may end up in jail, yet again, for the third time. And Mahathir has made sure that Anwar is aware there is enough evidence to send Anwar to jail for a third time if he does not behave.
Yes, in 1998 Anwar’s coup failed and he ended up in jail. In 2008 (the 16 September move) Anwar’s coup failed and he ended up in jail. And now, if Anwar tries and fails for the third time, he is going to end up in jail again.
And Mahathir knows this is what Anwar fears most. So, Mahathir does not want Wan Azizah to resign to make way for Anwar. Let Wan Azizah remain as deputy prime minister and let Anwar sweat it out. As what Wan Azizah told Marina Yusof, “I have had to suffer in Anwar’s shadow for so long. It is now my turn to be in charge.”
Mahathir keeps his friends close and his enemies even closer
