Mahathir vs Najib

Both men celebrated their birthdays within a fortnight of each other but neither sent greetings to the other.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned a golden 90 on July 10 while Najib Razak celebrated his 62nd birthday on July 23.

Their birth dates are a fortnight apart but their political styles are worlds apart and their relationship has hit rock bottom.

The two are probably not into astrology but Dr Mahathir is a Cancer, Najib is a Leo and the two signs are apparently not quite compatible. Both can be moody and dramatic when things do not go their way.

According to the horoscopes, a partnership between them seldom works out as Leo will soon become tired of the constant complaints of Cancer who also wants to play the role of fearless leader.

And if Cancer is not the leader, they expect the leader to be fierce on their behalf. Take all this with a big pinch of salt but it is all written in the stars, as they say.

But astrology aside, Dr Mahathir has been cutting one birthday cake and pulut kuning (celebratory gluti­nous rice) after another. Turning 90 is really something, especially if one still looks as healthy and good as Dr Mahathir.

On Friday, Berjaya Corp which is owned by Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan - 14th richest man in Malaysia according to Forbes - hosted its annual Mahathir birthday bash.

The two men go back a long way. Tan has never forgotten that he made his first millions during Dr Mahathir's premiership and celebrating Dr Mahathir's birthday has been a mark of his loyalty and gra­titude for the good times.

It was a grand event as usual and it was near midnight by the time Dr Mahathir, dressed in a ­tuxedo and looking like a handsome James Bond, emerged from the ballroom where the music was still blasting away.

When reporters pressed him about his birthday wish, he flashed his famous ironic smile and said that his wish was for Najib to "retire pleasantly" and to "enjoy his retirement". Naughty, naughty!

Last week, the association of wives of Kedah assemblymen or Bidara marked his birthday as well as that of Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali who turned 89 on July 12.

The birthday couple were in an easy-going mood because Kedah is home ground for them, their son Mukhriz is the chief minister and Dr Mahathir played along as Dr Siti Hasmah fed him a mouthful of pulut kuning.

But make no mistake, this 90-year-old is still going guns blazing at Najib. He has shown no sign of stopping and the fear among Umno politicians is that his attacks have damaged Umno.

A common refrain among many Umno politicians is that they are unsure whether Dr Mahathir is trying to save or destroy Umno. They say that Dr Mahathir claims he is criticising Najib out of his love for Umno but they are simply not feeling the love.

They understand that he wants Najib to resign because of what is happening in 1MDB. But they argue that Dr Mahathir has to accept that the party has chosen to stand by Najib.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's swift exit was possible because the party went along with Dr Mahathir. But it is a different story with Najib and they want the various investigations into 1MDB to be completed before passing ­judgment on their president.

Besides, there have been so many confusing twists and turns in the 1MDB issue that they are no longer sure which is what and where the truth really lies.

They still respect Dr Mahathir as one of the cleverest prime ministers ever but they have doubts about his real motives.

"The way he is doing it, he is not helping Umno. It is as though he wants to destroy our party. Even if he has disagreements, he can do it in a more constructive way," said Kelantan Umno information chief Alwi Che Ahmad.

Umno supreme council member Johari Ghani, who often describes himself as a product of the Mahathir era, has made an impassioned appeal to the former premier.

"I respect Mahathir and what he has done for the country. But I am also pleading to him to be fair and not to undermine the system. He was our PM and he always demanded that we respect and strengthen the system.

"I studied overseas thanks to the government. I came home to a good job and I will always be grateful. But leaders, past and present, must respect the system. There is a high-level investigation on, we cannot pass judgement without clear-cut evidence.

Johari, who is also Titiwangsa MP, pointed out that Dr Mahathir had relied on the same institutions to investigate Anwar and to convict him. He said Dr Mahathir depended on Bank Negara (central bank) to implement the currency controls.

"I am appealing to Mahathir to show the same respect for the system as when he was the PM. Let the special taskforce finish its work. It's not only him, everyone wants an answer to all this, the faster the better," he added.

Alwi, who is also Kok Lanas assemblyman, said that Kelantan Umno met recently to discuss national political issues including 1MDB.

However, he admitted that the 1MDB issue was too complex for most people and that state Umno leaders were more concerned about how to deliver the election promises they had made and about PAS and the new Gerakan Harapan Baru group.

"You come to my constituency, you ask people about 1MDB, you will get a blank look. But ask them about GST, they will have 100 complaints for you," Alwi said.

He said Kelantan Umno is standing by Najib in this current crisis just as it had stood by Dr Mahathir when the latter took on the Malay Rulers and tried to change the Constitution.

"We did not chuck him out, we supported Mahathir through one crisis after another. It is only fair that we do the same for Najib. This is not a football game, changing a prime minister is not like changing players on the field," said Alwi.

Alwi pointed out that Najib is the third prime minister whom Dr Mahathir has tried to remove.

The first victim, said Alwi, was Tunku Abdul Rahman who went from being the "happiest prime minister in the world" to the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia after the 1969 race riots. Dr Mahathir, then an Umno young Turk, played a leading role in pressuring the Tunku.

But Dr Mahathir also had more than his share of troubles with former prime ministers. He had to face the combined wrath of two predecessors when Tunku and Tun Hussein Onn ganged up with Semangat 46 to campaign against him in the 1990 general election.

The average Umno member is generally unclear about the complexities of the 1MDB issue. What they do know is that it has created a crisis of confidence about the government especially among the urban and thinking class.

Umno has more or less written off the Chinese vote given the way almost every issue is polarised along the race line. Their concern is the young Malay voters. There will be some 5.2 million new voters by the next general election and they are worried about the impact of issues like GST and 1MDB on the new voters.

The ruling coalition is not in the best of shape and they can only take comfort in the fact that Pakatan Rakyat or whatever remains of it is in greater disarray and does not even have a prime minister candidate.

But even those who want Najib to stay on are against the way that certain media have been used to embarrass Dr Mahathir by dredging out scandals that happened during his administration.

"We can support Najib but there is no need to pull out all of Mahathir's past mistakes on primetime TV," said a Malacca Umno poli­tician.

Mubarak, the organisation of former representative, is one of those groups which has been stuck in a conflicted situation. Its patron is Dr Mahathir and its adviser is Najib.

However, Mubarak president Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the organisation may make a Eid visit to their patron although they know what Dr Mahathir is going to say when they meet.

"Let me put it this way, Najib is not going any time soon," said Abdul Aziz.

Or as a former prime ministerial aide put it: "It is delusional to think that Najib will step down. The main bulk of Umno is with him and for as long that is the case, it is hard to buck him."

Moreover, the 1MDB issue is still unfolding, producing dramatic exposes every other day and lending credence to claims of hidden hands, power play, foreign meddling and a conspiracy to topple the government.

Malaysians have seen how the opposition has pulled out every trick in the bag to inch its way to Putrajaya.

Likewise, Najib and his coalition will do what it takes to hold on to Putrajaya.

- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asian-opinions/cold-war-between-najib-and-mahathir#sthash.g589beiG.dpuf

Mahathir claims he's senile?

When cornered, Mahathir claims he's senile

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad evaded questions on why Nor Mohamed Yakcop has been promoted over the years, despite he being allegedly responsible for the loss of RM5.7 billion through foreign exchange trading when with Bank Negara in the early 1990s.

YOURSAY 'True to form, Mahathir has not let us down with the kind of answers he comes up with when it comes to all the scandals under his premiership.'

'Senile' Dr M mum on Nor Mohamed's promotion

Just Sp: Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad has now drawn his trump card. If he is charged for graft or corruption, he can now proclaim to be senile.

He cannot, and will not, answer why he promoted Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the then Bank Negara deputy governor who was responsible of Malaysia's forex losses.

I believe (you may say I am a conspiracy theorist) there is more to the losses. Did it all get lost in the market or did some of it get diverted to certain accounts?

If that did happen, Mahathir will again not remember anything. Did you recall when he resigned during the Umno assembly? It was an award-winning performance.

Swipenter: True to form, Mahathir has not let us down with the kind of answers he comes up with when it comes to all the scandals happening under his premiership. It is only a matter of public perception that he has done anything wrong.

FellowMalaysian: Of late, Mahathir's mental condition vacillates between the 'psychotic' and 'neurotic' state and this invariably stems from his extreme 'superiority complex' state of mind.

Mahathir believes that he was never wrong in his 22 years rule as the PM. There's little doubt that he will claim it was the right thing to dabble in currencies then in order to safeguard the ringgit even though it cost the country RM5.7 billion.

Tan Kim Keong: Nyanyuk! Strange that you are able to recall in detail about former transport minister Ling Liong Sik's corruption case. I mean in minute details, based on your answers to the questions posed by the prosecutor. How very strange indeed.

You are not pulling wools over peoples' eyes anymore. Show me a new trick, will you please?

Onyourtoes: You can said all you want - ‘nyanyuk', old, or going to die soon, but your answer shows you are contemptuous of the people of this country. We shall see whether you have to answer all the unanswered questions someday.

Bid for charges to be dropped in light of Dr M's testimony

Anonymous_rb345: A testimony from a ‘senile' old man should not be a reason for a charge to be dropped. In fact, the concept of a collective decision of a cabinet should also implicate this old man for deceiving the taxpayers. He should also stand trial.

Anonymous_3e86: Is Dr M's words always taken as the truth? So if he says Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is guilty, then he must be guilty? If he says Ling is incapable of cheating, then it must be so?

In that case, we don't need the courts to decide. Let Dr M be the judge. We don't need any defence lawyer or any prosecutor either.

All we need is Dr M to decide if one is guilty or not. It saves taxpayers' money too. What a sandiwara!

Kee Thuan Chye: Why should the attorney-general review the charges, not to mention withdraw them, just because of Mahathir's testimony? Who is Mahathir? God?

This is laughable - for the defence to make an application because Mahathir told a cop he didn't think Ling cheated the government. And because Mahathir thinks Ling is an honest man.

What a mockery! What a circus! Hasn't the world been laughing at Malaysia enough?

Jean Pierre: If the land was paid by cash, it was RM21 per square feet. If payment was deferred, it was RM25. And yet BDO Chartered Accountants executive director Mok Chew Yin insisted the RM4 difference was not interest.

Playing with semantics? And the DPP (deputy public prosecutor) didn't bother to question further. And I thought there was only one senile man.

Telestai!: "Ling's lawyer, Wong Kian Kheong, informed this to Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Ahmadi Asnawi and asked the court to vacate the dates this week.

"‘We will send a representation to the chambers in light of the evidence by D4 (Mahathir) and we will await the outcome. Meanwhile, we apply for the dates to be vacated until December pending the outcome of the representation,' he said.

"Normally, when representations are sent it is for the purpose of the prosecution to reduce or drop the charges. Justice Ahmadi then fixed Dec 4 for mention. Originally, tomorrow was fixed for cross-examination of Mahathir by the prosecution."

And strangely, the prosecution did not object and meekly conceded to the request of the defence team.

Wira: Yes, drop the charges. I wonder why it was even brought to court in the first place since the CEO, ie. Mahathir, already mentioned to the police that PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone) was a collective cabinet decision and that Ling did not deceive them.

Perhaps this is a stellar wannabe show by the BN government to portray some semblance of fairness by prosecuting lesser past BN ministers that Umno know will not stand in court, something we wish can be extended to those federal and state ministers who obviously live beyond their means.
The remedy of punishing a cabinet for stupidity, incompetence and grand negligence is not through the court process. It is through the electoral process.

Vijay47: I hope somebody is taking copious notes for the forthcoming review of all books and commentaries on Malaysian law.

First, we have the judiciary's required consideration for the bright future of child rapists whose victims consented to being raped. Now, in an even more sophisticated development in local legal process, we have the curtain being drawn on the prosecution after the witness's examination-in-chief, even before the cross-examination.

No doubt such liberties can be extended in Ling's case since the witness, a person of impeccable quality and reliability when his memory does not fail him, is one Mahathir of Ottapalm, Kerala.

Just a passing thought by silly me, meanwhile back at the ranch, what was the prosecution doing during the application by the defence? Applauding in sheer adulation?

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The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Read that site for details.

Not Right to take to the Streets

KUALA LUMPUR - The proposed Bersih 2.0 rally would only serve as a loss to the country and people, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

He said taking to the streets was not the answer to the issues Bersih had raised.

"The demonstration should be held at a proper place, like inside a hall. Taking it to the streets is not the answer," he said after launching the Malaysian Press Photographers Association (MPPA) yesterday.

Dr Mahathir, who is also the patron for MPPA, said it was up to the government whether or not to prosecute the Bersih organisers under the Internal Security Act.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCIM) has urged Bersih, Umno Youth and Perkasa to call off the rallies planned on July 9, as they could create instability and affect the economy and tourism.

In a statement yesterday, ACCIM also urged the Election Commission to hold dialogues and exchange views with Bersih in order to improve the election system.

"We also appeal to Umno Youth and Perkasa not to hold counter-rallies on the same day.

"If the three parties proceed to hold the rallies, they may result in conflicts and chaos," it said.

Mahathir Tells Proton To Look At India

By P.Vijian
Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said national car maker, Proton (Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd), should leverage on India's low cost production to foray into the burgeoning automobile market.

India's automobile sector is gradually attracting world class players, all capitalising on India's insatiable demand for foreign models and cheaper production costs.

"Now there is scope for Proton to come here because we are not tied to any other (foreign) companies. Proton is free and can come here," Dr Mahathir, also Proton's adviser, told Bernama in Delhi.

It is a sunrise sector, with India's passenger vehicles segment in 2010 (April-August) seeing a 33.88 per cent growth compared to the same period last year.

Its passenger car and commercial vehicle production industry is world's seventh largest, with annual output of 2.6 million units in 2009.

In Asia, India takes prides in being the fourth largest exporter of passenger cars, after Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

The architect behind Proton, Dr Mahathir said the car maker is currently undergoing restructuring and once completed, it should be able to explore the Indian market.

In the past years, Proton attempted to enter the competitive Indian market, trying to marry with local car producers to expand its operations in the South Asia region, but deals failed to mature.

"Proton is presently restructuring and the trend now is green cars. Proton is now busy trying to develop hybrid and electric cars.

"When it has achieved some degree of competence, it may want to work in India. If we invest here, we can actually produce the cars here, firstly through assembly and subsequently by manufacturing, once we achieve the volume.

"Proton I think can compete with other cars because it can take advantage of the lower cost of (production) in India," he added.

Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah are currently on a private visit to India.

Dr M moots bloggers’ code of ethics

Dr Mahathir said bloggers must acknowledge the responsibility that comes with the unfettered nature of the medium. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today called on bloggers to adhere to a certain code of ethics and ensure their blog articles are backed by truth in order for blogs to become a respected medium for the betterment of the society.

The former prime minister said the blogging ethics should be voluntary because these were for the bloggers’ own good and from which they would build their reputation in the eyes of the people.

Dr Mahathir, himself a blogger, said the society had access to blogs, a medium which he said was “almost beyond the control of any authority”, and that if bloggers were ethical and write the truth, more people would make blogs their source of information.

If bloggers adhered to these ethics, he said, “I think eventually people will come to respect blogs. If we are not saying the truth, people will desert blogs like (how they deserted) the ordinary media today,” he said in his keynote address at the Asian Bloggers and Social Media Conference 2010, here today.

The two-day conference, themed “Reflections of the Social Media Revolution”, is organised by My Events International and is attended by about 400 people across Asia.

Dr Mahathir said although bloggers were free to blog on whatever they wanted, they should do so in a responsible manner and not abuse the medium.

“(Bloggers) should not say nasty things or curse people; don’t do that because people will get annoyed and they can take action against you,” he said, adding that “even if we don’t like a person, we should not say things which are not true (about that person).”

Dr Mahathir, who runs a popular blog at chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/, said it was imperative for bloggers to be able to back what they say.

He said that although bloggers had the advantage in terms of freedom, they must make use of the freedom to shape the opinion towards building a better world community and for the betterment of the people.

“No one can stop or correct you because you are in charge; you are the writer, the editor and the publisher... when you have the weapons, don’t use it indiscriminately. Bloggers must always exercise restraint and avoid anything that is not true and things that hurt people,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said while some blogs were very good, there were others which were “worthless” and that certain skills were needed to sort out blogs which reported the truth from those that contained mere propaganda.

“Problems arise because there is so much news coming in; you get confused and when you get confused you make the wrong decision. So you have to sort out the news,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also said that the ordinary press would not be able write everything because of space constraint. He said that because of such constraint he turned to blog to provide him with the space to express his views.

Dr Mahathir also said that his blog was being read by people from many countries, including from Israel.

If bloggers write with responsibility, he added, they and their blogs would become popular. — Bernama

Dr M’s personal photos album launched

Many may not be aware of this fact, but former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is an avid photographer.

Three editors, namely Zin Oo Ko, Dr Mahathir’s daughter, Maizura Mahathir, and Razlan Rashid, have come up with a coffeetable book depicting the former prime minister’s personal snapshots.

Titled “Though My Lenses”, the book contains over 300 personal photographs captured by Dr Mahathir during his time in office and after he had stepped down as prime minister.

It also illustrates visuals and views from his camera lens during his travels in Argentina, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Ukraine, Japan, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Dubai and destinations in Malaysia.

The book also offers handwritten captions for the photographs by Dr Mahathir, explaining what they mean to him or what he might have thought as he took them.

Asked to comment on the book, Dr Mahathir said there were too many fond memories in the photographs and it was hard for him to point out his favourite.

“Sometimes, I can’t remember where I took the photos,” he said after the launch of the book by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali here today.

On the book, Dr Siti Hasmah hoped it would provide readers another view of her husband’s personal life.

“I hope you will enjoy viewing through his lenses, the scenes and pictures, just as much as he enjoyed photographing them,” she said.

With over 10,000 photographs to choose from, the editors describe “Through My Lenses” as a book of photographs, but stress it is not a photography book.

“Rather, it is a channel used to communicate with the thoughts of Dr Mahathir, and that is the factor that makes this book unique,” they said.

“Through My Lenses” is available at major bookstores and retails at RM99. — Bernama

UMNO and Pakatan slammed Dr M's senile argument

Umno, Pakatan slam Dr M’s Malay theory as ‘far-fetched’
In a rare show of unity, Umno and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have slammed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s argument that the Malays could end up being a minority.

They called the former prime minister’s theory “far-fetched”.

Umno’s Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said statements like these from Dr Mahathir had resulted in the Malays being even more split and unable to assert dominance.

“He (Dr Mahathir) is giving a far-fetched scenario, without really properly looking into finding a way to give out a proper message that young Malays could understand. He is scaring the Malays into becoming more Malay,” said Nur Jazlan.

Dr Mahathir suggested yesterday that future government leaders could open the immigration floodgates to dilute the number of Malays in the country.

He said in a posting on his popular blog that the current national leadership appears to believe that the Malays would continue to account for 60 per cent of the country’s population.

“He’s just being Dr Mahathir. Immigration polices would only be amended to allow more immigrants if the country desperately lacked labour and needed the input a lot.

“Bear in mind that even if immigrants come, they cannot vote. So how are they going to affect the Malays’ position?” Nur Jazlan told The Malaysian Insider.

He said that it was “not right” for the former PM to assume that the Malays were constantly under siege and could not compete with the other races.

“He should realise that it was from his own industrialisation policies which have resulted in the Malays being more progressive. The Malays today are competitive, strong and capable of direct competition,” said the Umno man.

He claimed that the reason why the Malays were not united in the first place was because of Umno’s own policies.

“It is the questioning of Umno’s own policies. If Umno wants their support it has to fight for them. Get them to be on our side,” said the Pulai MP.

“Dr Mahathir is just doing it for Perkasa. Perkasa is not taking off, Ibrahim Ali sounds racist when he opens his mouth. With Dr Mahathir’s position, he hopes to attract moderate Malays.”

But Nur Jazlan admitted that Dr Mahathir’s remarks would still have an “effect on the more rural Malays, who still regard him as a national icon.”

Another Umno member, Johor Baru MP Datuk Seri Shahrir Samad, said that while Umno could take heed of Dr Mahathir’s advice, he personally felt it was too speculative.

“I think that it is purely speculative. I’m not too worried about his remarks.

“He is basing his theory on a perception of Semenanjung Malaysia, on what had happened to Malaya. But we have to view his arguments in the context of Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak,” said Shahrir.

The former chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) told The Malaysian Insider that it would be highly unlikely that the government would open the immigration floodgates in the future, because Sabah and Sarawak would not be “agreeable” to that.

“We will take note of what he says. It will only happen if Sabah and Sarawak encourage such a policy. They would also have to agree, and for now I don’t see why they should. Decisions like these are made on a federal level, not just peninsular.

“And don’t forget, would PAS and PKR even approve of it?” said Shahrir.

He also said he understood what Dr Mahathir was trying to say.

“He is saying that BN would not do well if Umno does not command Malay support, and if the Malays remain divided between PAS, PKR and Umno.

“I think Umno has to work harder and be more mindful of the reversals of policies that how we have suffered from it. But Umno is still strong, we just have to build on our base,” added Shahrir.

Former Umno deputy president-turned PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that Dr Mahathir’s views were the actual obstacle for the Malays.

“I think that ideas like his are an obstacle, and will create even more insecurity among the Malays.

“He (Dr Mahathir) is oblivious to the fact that the new generation of Malays are more assertive, and confident of their abilities and position,” Anwar told The Malaysian Insider.

But Dr Mahathir’s one-time blue-eyed boy stressed that the Malays must also not be marginalised and that equal opportunity be given to all.

“We cannot take his views and position about non-Malays as he did during the 1950s. The second and third generation of non-Malays are as much citizens of the country as the Malays.

“I appeal to young Malays to be confident and move on with the future,” Anwar said.

Dr Mahathir’s latest remarks mark a continuation of a more strident right-wing tone adopted by the former prime minister in recent months in his push for a siege mentality among the Malays.

Last month, he argued that the community’s political leaders are now under the thumb of “the others” and need to be united again for the sake of its future.

He illustrated his argument by referring to the fall of the Perak PR government which he characterised as being “led by a Malay (but) a certain race considered it the fall of a government belonging to their race”.

Dr Mahathir has been stepping up his rhetoric in recent months to lobby for the current Umno leadership to respond to disquiet among conservative Malays.

Backed by increasingly influential right-wing Malay groups like Perkasa, Dr Mahathir and his supporters have rattled Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reform agenda.

Tun Dr Mahathir - the musical show

Tun Dr Mahathir is now a musical
July 08, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Tun Mahathir The Musical, which depicts the life journey of Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, will surely evoke sweet memories to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah as the play includes efforts from their children.

The play’s storyline is determined by Datuk Mukhriz, who is Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, while Mazhar, a student at the National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara), will feature in a supporting role.

Istana Budaya director-general Mohamed Juhari Shaarani said the performance was proposed three years ago by Information Communication and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, to honour the statesman.

“When we asked Tun Dr Mahathir for his consent (to stage the play), he approved on condition that the musical’s storyline was based on facts,” he said during a news conference, here today.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister’s wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, who is patron of the musical.

To be staged from Sept 24 to Oct 4, the play will star popular local artistes such as Esma Daniel, who will be acting as the adult Dr Mahathir, Erra Fazira (Dr Siti Hasmah), Zizan Nin (Dr Mahathir in his teens) and Idola Kecil 2008 finalist Mohd Shafeiq Shazwan (Dr Mahathir as a child).

The musical theatre, to be jointly carried out by Istana Budaya, CRTA Production, the Information Communication and Culture Ministry and the Malaysian Women Writers Association (PPWM), will be directed by the dean of Aswara’s Theatre Faculty, Rosminah Mohd Tahir, while its script is written by Ismail Kassan.

Meanwhile, CRTA Production producer Siti Rohaya Attan said the musical will depict Tun Dr Mahathir’s life as a child to his days as a doctor serving the people, and the ups and downs he experienced as a politician.

“The dilemmas and achievements throughout his 22 years as Prime Minister will be portrayed through dialogue, songs and dance suited to facts approved by Tun Dr Mahathir himself,” she said.

Siti Rohaya, whose name is not new to the world of theatre, has produced and directed several musicals such as Assyura (1997), Taman Baginda (1998), Kereta Kencana (1998), Lantai T. Pinkie Musical (2000), T.Pinkie Musical (2006), Ibu Zain, The Musical (2008) and Gamat the Musical (2009).

Tickets priced between RM30 and RM150 can be obtained from Istana Budaya or www.ticket2u.biz.