YOURSAY | ‘I would go with the known devil for the sake of this nation.’

Should we give Mahathir a chance to save Malaysia?

CQ Muar: Former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott, I had often respected your contributions in commenting about the political situation in this country, in which you were once the US ambassador.

Even your article is no exception, not until your disclosure that you were there and knew the truth and what happened behind Anwar Ibrahim's arrest, and also what happened to all the economies in Southeast Asia, and why, under Mahathir's administration.

My question, Malott, is as the then-US ambassador, why didn't you raise your objection and express certain form of protest, or alert US about your knowledge with regard to the political on-goings in this country under Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

Of course, that would be tantamount to ‘meddling’ with the sovereignty of this country, but the US, being a ‘big brother’ in the entire world, could have exercised some form of pressure on the premier for high-handedness towards the nation?

However, we trust you would not hesitate to update the US of your knowledge now that it's under the present regime led by Najib Abdul Razak.

Not Convinced: Malott was ambassador when then US vice-president Al Gore came to Kuala Lumpur for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in 1998, weeks after Anwar was arrested.

He gave a speech supporting the reformasi movement in front Mahathir and other Apec leaders.

"Democracy confers a stamp of legitimacy that reforms must have in order to be effective… And so, among nations suffering economic crises, we continue to hear calls for democracy, calls for reform, in many languages - People Power, Doi Moi, Reformasi. We hear them today - right here, right now - among the brave people of Malaysia."

Mahathir was apparently livid on hearing the speech, which most likely Malott had a role in crafting.

Dr Suresh Kumar: I refer to this article: ‘US to steer clear of Najib's scandal in KL visit’. Please explain this US hypocrisy, Mr Ex-Ambassador.

Anonymous 2415891461978791: Dr Suresh Kumar, it would be highly inappropriate for US Secretary of State John Kerry to comment while in Malaysia, or at any other time, on an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ has made the 1MDB embezzlement a major case, and will doubtless be bringing criminal charges later in coordination with other jurisdictions, and the very last thing we need is for some diplomatic klutz putting his oar in.

Unlike Malaysia, where every government agency is an expression of the will of MO1, in the US the independence and integrity of the prosecutorial agencies is carefully protected from interference by political and diplomatic officials.

Vijay47: Considering the speed and vigour with which Najib is pushing the country into total disaster, I suppose we have to grant that Mahathir is the lesser of the two evils and perhaps the only one who can mould the opposition into some form of a united front.

Malott has painted a glossy picture of Mahathir's term at the bat but his three conditions don't seem workable in the reality of Malaysia.

All the three proposals, all admissions of Mahathir's own sins, would be fodder for Najib and the mainstream media, they would crucify the old man; Najib couldn’t care two hoots about turning Malaysia into Mugabe-land.

Going into the Malay heartland? Najib would not balk at using his thugs to create a dangerous situation and justify the full application of the National Security Council (NSC) Act. Then again, if Malaysia has to burn to save it, as was said regarding Vietnam's My Lai, so be it.

By the way, Malott, Najib may be the one who pulled the prison-trigger on Anwar, but Mahathir was the one who put him before the firing squad.

RakyatBiasa: I couldn't agree more with the writer. There are only three options, Najib (the alleged scoundrel), Mahathir (the known devil) or another Umno rogue (the unknown devil).

Of the three, I would go with the known devil for the sake of this nation. And to add to the list, Condition No 4 - Mahathir's children should stay out of politics and not benefit further from any business ventures.

Tony Soprano: Since when has Mahathir been consistent with American interests? He turned an entire passive population of Malaysians against the US, brainwashing them into thinking the US was evil incarnate.

Malott's opinions are his own - he doesn't represent the US government. Did some readers miss that? He is no longer US ambassador to Malaysia.

Furthermore, it's been explained over and over in various articles in Malaysiakini that the FBI has no need to name Malaysian Official 1 (MO1). What makes you think the FBI is beholden to Malaysian public opinion?

The FBI doesn't work for you. Figure it out for yourselves and stop blaming others for your problems.

If you'd been better citizens you'd have a better government. Instead you passively believed with glee everything Mahathir said. Now you have the ruler you deserve.

Cogito Ergo Sum: To nurture and inculcate a generation that is intelligent, with an inclusive philosophy, takes time.

In the interim, the nation is being plundered economically and intellectually by both BN and the dysfunctional and egotistical opposition.

Who do we have now that can swiftly alter our head-on collision with disaster? There are a few good men. But the masses have been shielded by propaganda and censorship from these good men and women.

As a poet asked of his countrymen, “Who then will lead us?” And I ask the same question to all, “Who will lead us?”

However you look at it, Mahathir is the only one who has the clout and pedigree to take on Najib. As far as looking to the opposition for leadership, forget it. They are more fractured than ever and do not have a viable political agenda that is inclusive.

Malaysians need to look at a third force that can mitigate the excesses of the different opposition parties.

But Mahathir seems to be the man for the moment. He could be remembered as the man who saved Malaysia, not Umno. That can be his legacy.

Turning to Dr M shows the desperation of the times we live in

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