‘M for Malaysia’ a story of foes-turned-allies who saved the country from BN, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — The movie M for Malaysia is an excellent portrayal of how Malaysians and politicians put aside their differences to save the country from kleptocracy, said deputy defence minister Liew Chin Tong.
He said change could only happen because of the reconciliation between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his protégé-turned-nemesis Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and between Dr Mahathir’s might and DAP’s support base.
“Not many know exactly how we have managed to topple Najib’s great kleptocracy and racist politics against all odds. Many just went to vote on election day and change happened right away,” Liew wrote on his personal blog citing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his alleged abuse of power.
“For those who wish to know how we reached here, there is a great documentary being shown in cinema now, M for Malaysia,” he said.
Liew said the movie highlights the difficulty of the reconciliation and the pain and anguish caused by Ops Lalang in 1987, which involved, among others, DAP’s veteran lawmaker Lim Kit Siang, his son and current Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
The Ops Lalang security crackdown took place during Dr Mahathir’s administration. During the 1987 dragnet, 119 people were detained under the Internal Security Act while four newspapers were also suspended.
Ops Lalang and the use of the ISA had prompted Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, to remark that the country was undeniably “on the road to dictatorship”.
Then came Anwar’s 1998 arrest for sodomy which was also during Dr Mahathir’s time as prime minister.
“But, in 2016, these same leaders were faced with an impossible choice. To go across the aisle and realign, or to see Najib reign forever to rob the nation to no end.
“Mahathir, Anwar, Kit Siang and others courageously chose reconciliation. Some of us have forgotten how hopeless it was for Pakatan Harapan then, but we overcame challenges as the leaders put nation above self,” said Liew.
“M for Malaysia reminded me of the adversity we overcame to get to this reset button. Let us treasure this new beginning and make the best out of it for all Malaysians. If we give up now, we may regret it forever,” he added.
The documentary is directed and produced by Dr Mahathir’s eldest granddaughter Ineza Roussille and real estate tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew’s daughter, Datin Dian Lee. Ineza’s mother Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir is the executive producer.
It recounts the unlikely partnership between two previously sworn enemies, Dr Mahathir and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, who together, toppled Barisan Nasional (BN) to take over Putrajaya.
It also contains never-before-seen footage of the events leading up to the historic May 9, 2018 election, when BN was ousted from power after a six-decade long reign.
Related Articles Kit Siang hails ‘M for Malaysia’ documentary as antidote to hate speech Tun M hadir tayangan dokumentari PRU14 ‘M for Malaysia’ Biggest lesson from ‘M for Malaysia’? How to accept criticism, says Dr M
