In his eight-page letter penned from behind bars, Anwar Ibrahim borrowed the words of William Shakespeare to warn his party about the alleged slithering and venomous characteristics of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Among the poetic scribbles, he had mentioned, “The serpent that did sting... Now wears the crown.”
Denouncing Mahathir, who once dispatched him from the corridors of power to prison, as cruel, he warned PKR about the hazards of working with the former prime minister in relation to the Citizens' Declaration, which he considers a Mahathir document.
Commenting on this, a veteran newsman shared his thoughts on the act of roping in Shakespeare into the local political scene.
“In the context of Malaysian politics, one quotes Shakespeare when things are getting dire and when the end is near,” said Ahiruddin Atan, popularly known as Rocky, on his blog.
Judging from the letter, he pointed out that Mahathir’s antics have got the jailed former opposition leader worried to death.
The ex-Malay Mail top editor also remarked that Mahathir erred in his latest move and instead of pushing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak closer to the edge, is helping him strengthen his position instead.
Ahiruddin was referring to Mahathir’s call for the opposition to be united in order to prevent BN from winning in the upcoming two by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.
“By default, I think Mahathir has gotten Najib a lot of support and sympathy than the PM could dream of.
“The Save Malaysia campaign, which got him to sleep with his deadliest foes, was ill advised.
“With this latest statement aimed directly at the coalition he had led for 22 years, Dr M (Mahathir) is really pushing it,” he said.
Mahathir’s statement courted brickbats from ruling politicians, with Najib himself accusing the former premier of biting the hand that fed him and his family for more than two decades.
The by-elections, slated for June 18, are regarded as litmus tests for the prime minister due to the numerous allegations surrounding him.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing and blamed Mahathir of orchestrating a campaign to topple him from power. The motive, it is claimed, is to engineer the political ascension of his son.
