YOURSAY 'He created a culture whereby top leaders should not be challenged...'
Dr M: Umno lacks guts to criticise its leaders
Ipohcrite: Those who dared to speak up against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he was still the Umno president and PM, were all sent packing.
Only those who were gutless and fawned over him remained and enjoyed high political office and untold riches. So, who in Umno is not gutless, huh? No thanks to you.
RR: Mahathir, you have been the ‘maha guru’ of Umno for a long time. Now your followers are just doing the same. You created a culture whereby top leaders in Umno should not be challenged for 'unity' sake.
So why complain against your own philosophy? If you really want people to speak boldly then you should advocate the removal of the much abused Sedition Act today.
But your Perkasa, Isma, etc, are even lobbying for a more draconian Sedition Act.
Anonymous #36822553: You were the one who set the precedent that there should be no contest for the No1 and 2 posts in Umno's party elections when you were the president and PM.
This 'tradition' was used by all other Umno presidents after you. Tell me, who else dares to challenge the No 1 and 2?
Swipenter: Indeed, during Mahathir's time, the top two leadership posts of Umno Baru were never or could never be contested.
In other words, those filling these two posts cannot be questioned and the reason given was the continuity and stability of leadership and party.
That has become their culture/convention, to follow their leaders blindly. Any dissenter within Umno Baru was dealt with swiftly and harshly. Now Mahathir is saying that Umno Baru members must not shirk their duty to question their leaders if they don't agree with them?
MCA, MIC and Gerakan took a leaf from Umno Baru but fortunately the voters showed their leaders the exit door. Now speaking without fear and favour can land you with the Sedition Act 1948.
Only a select few can speak without fear of the Sedition Act. Now Mahathir, please advise what to do.
Haveagreatday: Well, well, if you are honest with yourself, you'll know who the Umnoputras have to thank for this trait.
You not only emasculated the judiciary during your dictatorial 22 years of horror, but you also ensured no one dares so much as raise a whisper of dissent to your highness.
Keturunan Malaysia: Dr M, on the one hand you ask people to be brave to criticise, but on the other hand you are saying PM Najib Razak is too weak and made worse by the 'sword' hanging over our heads called the Sedition Act. So how?
Siang Malam: Yes, make up your mind, you're asking for people to criticise our leaders and yet you want the Sedition Act to be maintained.
Mushiro: It is not that Umno leaders do not have guts to criticise Najib but it is because they understand fully well which side their bread is buttered.
To Umno men, the flow of money is more important than fighting for race, religion or the nation. There is no way they can withstand the stop of the gravy train.
They do not have principles, no intellect, no fear of religion, no substance - they are just motivated by their greed for easy money.
Anonymous_3faa: Of course, Umno is too weak to oust Najib. In fact, they are all so weak and incompetent that there is no one of any worthwhile calibre in the administration, whether in intelligence, trust, or EQ, to lead the country out of the doomed mess it is in now, and that includes Najib.
Unfortunately, the capable leaders are all in the opposition. No wonder the racist and religious bigots have all crawled out of the woodwork and taken over the headlines with their unsavoury and un-Malaysian commentaries. Enough said.
Quigonbond: Dr M is of course right. But it's a culture he helped create a long time ago. It's the same culture of fear Umno imposes on the country.
For Umno to dismantle the fear and criticise its leaders, Umno must dismantle repressive laws that prevent people from voicing legitimate disaffection against governmental conduct and governmental policies.
That's where Dr M's exhortations will falter. You simply can't have the cake and eat it too.
Man on the Street: “Dr Mahathir was curious why 1MDB bought the ageing IPPs when the government could wait a few more years and get them for 'free'. Something is amiss,” former New Straits Times editor A Kadir Jasin.
The greatest man in Umno has hinted there might be some elements of corruption in present Umno-led government. So, why no investigation from MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)?
MingXiang: From now on, I shall criticise the man who picked Najib to fill Pak Lah's (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s) shoes. He was a poor judge of character.
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