Rais Dilemma- September 07

Expectations met- Happy 50th Merdeka

Malaysia is known for grand parades among international tourists and the one last Friday definitely lived up to expectations. The fiftieth edition of the Merdeka Day Parade was indeed pompous, vibrant and extravagant to say the least. Well, 31st August had finally dawned upon Malaysia, marking its half a century of nationhood and guess what, lives,have to go on! Heartiest congratulations to Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim for heading the organising committee. The event was arguably his biggest contribution to the country. It was the job that had saved him from standing on the edge of UMNO's political cliffs. The PhD holder from King's College London, a supreme council member in Malaysia's biggest political party, is known to be a Mahathir supporter. Ironically, he was not one in the late 80's. Rais supported Razaleigh-Musa's Team B against Mahathir-Ghafar's Team A in the UMNO elections of 1987. This led to his expulsion from the cabinet and reclusion from centre-stage politics for twelve years. It was the boss he had betrayed, whom saved him from the political wilderness and gave him the kiss of political life. Well, Mahathir only brought Rais back into the limelight in 1999 mainly to streghten his grip on UMNO- undone after the controversial sacking of Anwar. Recently, Rais was made to pay for his support to the former premier. He was asked to bid for the Secretary General of the Commonwealth- with full backing from the cabinet. This is a clear showing of exit by his colleagues- the first casualty of Abdullah's administration. Najib Razak, the deputy premier led the chorus of praises sung for Rais and highlighted the qualities in the elderly minister which made him a good candidate for the post. However, having been a veteran politician, Rais was not to be shown the dignified exit-worse than Harun Idris's offer to be made an ambassador by Hussein Onn, he played his political cards correctly. Rais at first disguised his intention of accepting the offer-his answers when asked about it were vague. A suave politician indeed. Then he leaked it out to the media- and not to Abdullah who was very busy attending to pre-marital matters, that he declines the offer due to his tight schedhule as the Merdeka Celebrations organising committee chairman. The cabinet members were stunned, many taken offguard. Age is afterall wise, and in Malaysian politics it is indubitably true. Rais avoided his political assasination, but who is the next casualty? Abdullah (Khairy) is playing his political cards with a rush- hinting at the nearing general elections. Happy Merdeka to all Malaysians.