Friday, July 20, 2007
The method behind the madness
Malaysia has been declared an Islamic state by none other than the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, at a time when racial and religious suspicions have seen a marked increase in the public space. Ever since Tun Dr Mahathir decided to irresponsibly proclaim Malaysia as an Islamic state after 9/11, politicians with their agendas have seen it fit to continue on the Islamic state bandwagon.
What is different this time, I suspect, is that the timing of Najib's statements may have been deliberately timed to deflect attention from the interesting developments elsewhere. With opposition politicians teasing the media with statements that they are "looking" for photographic evidence linking Najib with the murdered Mongolian Altantuya, it would no doubt be a jittery time for Najib if he indeed knew the poor girl, despite his strident public denials.
Perhaps a statement about an Islamic state, bound to raise emotions and public outcry may be the right thing to do, in order to deflect attention about any photographs that may lying in someone's drawer.
The other possibility is that UMNO is betting that despite the party's failures, the non-Malays will only sigh and continue to back the devil they know than the devil they don't. After all, elections are bound to be called this year and there is no other reason for Najib to bring up the Islamic nation issue, so soon after Lina Joy and the Revathi episode, except to declare to all that UMNO do not give a damn about the feelings of the other races, taking a calculated risk that none will dare to give the Islamist party a chance to rule Malaysia.
Now whether, the Chinese BN component parties will be routed in the next elections, well, that remains to be seen .... ¶ 5:26 PM
What is different this time, I suspect, is that the timing of Najib's statements may have been deliberately timed to deflect attention from the interesting developments elsewhere. With opposition politicians teasing the media with statements that they are "looking" for photographic evidence linking Najib with the murdered Mongolian Altantuya, it would no doubt be a jittery time for Najib if he indeed knew the poor girl, despite his strident public denials.
Perhaps a statement about an Islamic state, bound to raise emotions and public outcry may be the right thing to do, in order to deflect attention about any photographs that may lying in someone's drawer.
The other possibility is that UMNO is betting that despite the party's failures, the non-Malays will only sigh and continue to back the devil they know than the devil they don't. After all, elections are bound to be called this year and there is no other reason for Najib to bring up the Islamic nation issue, so soon after Lina Joy and the Revathi episode, except to declare to all that UMNO do not give a damn about the feelings of the other races, taking a calculated risk that none will dare to give the Islamist party a chance to rule Malaysia.
Now whether, the Chinese BN component parties will be routed in the next elections, well, that remains to be seen .... ¶ 5:26 PM
