HOME MINISTER Hishammuddin
Hussein cut a sorry figure against the background of the mini 'war' that
erupted on the 'battlefield' of Lahad Datu. When the shooting started between
the 'invaders' and Malaysian security forces, Hishammuddin made a fool of
himself when he remarked that not a single shot was fired in the tense
standoff. A firefight has broken out and there were already casualties and yet
the minister was in blissful ignorance.
Hishammuddin was the man in
charge of the Lahad Datu war theatre and should have remained on the ground
from day one to get instant field reports about the gunfight. He failed to do
that and the country was kept in the dark at the outbreak of violence. For a
few hours bits and pieces of news reached the outside world and we read of
mounting casualties on both sides. There were even reports that the “invaders”
have called for reinforcements. It appeared that our security forces were in
for a bashing.
Two Malaysian police
commandos fell in the first exchange of gunfire and 12 terrorists were gunned
down. Some escaped to the seas (have our submarine sunk?) but the rest are
still holed up in the village. They are digging in for a long fight. Now
Hishammuddin has gone down to the ground and has issued an ultimatum to the
militants to surrender or face “drastic action”. Perhaps he has drastically
changed his stand and realises that Malaysia is dealing not with tourists but
real terrorists and invaders.
While Hishammuddin was
twiddling his thumbs for weeks trying to figure out who are these uninvited
“visitors”, his cousin, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was busily fighting his
political war against the opposition and did not bother to issue a public
statement about the attack on our sovereignty. He did not take the first flight
out to Lahad Datu to assess the situation. The whole country was perplexed over
this long silence from the man who should have taken charge of the situation
from the outset.
He finally spoke out about
defending the sovereignty of the country on the day the fatal shots rang out.
It sounded rather hollow. Everyone has been talking loudly on the need for
decisive action to evict the invaders but not Najib. Hishammuddin must have
whispered into Najib’s ears that those intruders are actually nice people who
must be treated with kid gloves. Cousin, give me more time, nothing to worry.
Now, Najib is making loud noises and even suspects that the opposition has a
hand in this diabolical plot (same old diversionary tactic).
Spinning Out Of Control
When the sovereignty of the
country is threatened, the man who should take centre stage other than the
prime minister is the defence minister. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should be in the
thick of action but this defence minister was playing a bit role. Was he peeved
that the army was reportedly sidelined? Is there a “turf war” between his
ministry and the home ministry? Zahid was ready to call out the army to crush
civilian protests, but did not move heaven and earth to dislodge the real
enemies in our home.
The invaders are said to be
descendants of the Sulu sultanate, who are fighting to reclaim Sabah. That
gives it an international flavour because the Philippines has long laid claim
on the state and it had been a thorn in our side for many decades. The
Malaysian Foreign Ministry should have come into the picture to find out from
Manila whether it is still pursuing the claim. If the Philippines has not
dropped the claim, then the army of the Sulu sultanate will continue to bug us.
But Foreign Minister Anifah
Aman is reportedly in the dark over the Lahad Datu flare-up. Hishammuddin,
Hamidi and Anifah should be key players but the trio were never seen together
co-ordinating a joint response to one of the gravest threats the country is
facing. When the country is “invaded” all the political masters and all the
heads of the three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces – the Royal Malaysian
Navy, the Malaysian Army and the Royal Malaysian Air Force – should step out on
the podium and reveal to the nation their war plan. But the stage was empty and
dark most of the time.
All Malaysians have a stake
in the security of the country. People want to know what the government is
doing to repel foreign invaders. The prime minister and his ministers must
reassure the public that the country they call their home is safe and sound. When
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim floated the idea of convening a special sitting
of Parliament to discuss the Lahad Datu crisis, Najib should set aside
political differences and adopt a common stand. But he is unlikely to come down
a notch for fear Anwar may get the credit, especially when the national polls
is getting nearer.
Now the situation is
spinning out of control. The invaders meant business when they vowed to fight
to the death. Casualties are mounting, with more policemen killed. Unconfirmed
reports have also emerged that more militants are arriving on our shores. The
terrorists have thrown down the gauntlet and the Malaysian Armed Forces can do
no less than to pick it up and face them head-on. This is no phoney war. This
is real war. (FMT)
Jadi ini benar-benar terjadilah...bukan cobaan...?
ReplyDeleteAgreed 100%. This could have been the best theatre for Najib to prove that he is the Man... He should have taken charge, issues patriotic statements from day 1 but he did not seize this oppurtunity. I am very surprised! This is the situation why we need a Prime Minister.
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