Sakmongkol AK47 speaks with Tun Daim Zainuddin(2)

Sakmongkol AK47 speaks with Tun Daim Zainuddin.(2)

This is part 2 of my rendition of the 45 minutes conversation I had with TDZ. Our conversation was carried out in both Bahasa Melayu and English. I must say this however. I did not take notes while we were talking as I wanted to savour the fullness of our conversation. But as soon as I got back, I quickly wrote notes in my own little Red Book on what transpired. Hence although the conversation we had, wasn't scripted and therefore organised, I think I managed to capture most of what were said. I must however say that what I write is chiefly my recollection and I will not insist on total acquiescence by TDZ. He retains the residual right to affirm or repudiate what I say here.

TDZ was talking in a very assured tone. I would have to say the tone was pleasantly hushed. You know, the manner by which supremely confident people talk. No need to shout to be heard kind of manner. Perhaps TDZ must have also realised that he was after all talking to an unknown entity such as I. I was thankful; he didn't show any irritation while we were conversing. To his credit and to my profit, TDM put me at ease; I was not intimidated by his presence.

I seem to recall that TDZ was always seen with spectacles on. Perhaps it was my faulty particular recollection. On this day, he wasn't using any. But I did notice a menacing looking pair of shades on the table on his right. The kind of shades you would see being used by Phil Knight- Chairman of Nike which is a kind of wrap- around shades.

UMNO and the need for change.

One of the first question I asked TDZ was- how does he see UMNO now?

He answered; you know the UMNO leaders are talking about change. But where are the changes are they talking of? Do you see any, he asked me.

He has been UMNO treasurer for 17 years he said (I am quoting him directly here); he knows what's going on with UMNO. Dr Mahathir, he said was busy and so left a substantial part of party matters to him.

He doesn't see any substantial changes taking place and from the way he said it (now this is my interpretation) he wasn't confident of seeing any. Leaders are just interested in securing places in the sun for themselves. Just the other day, TDZ mentioned that Azim Zabidi wanted TDZ to say something favourable so that he Azim could stand as candidate in Bukit Gantang, again!

We all know TDZ broods no political frolicking. I am not making this anymore painful than it is- suffice to say, that TDZ wasn't enthusiastic over Azim's gambit. Most likely therefore, the candidate for the coming Bukit Gantang by elections won't be Azim Zabidi.

He has had his chances; it's time to give others. Dah kalah, beri peluang kat orang lain.

UMNO's continued relevance.

That's one. Second, said TDZ- who does UMNO now represents? Is it the Malays? UMNO would be severely challenged at this claim. TDZ mentioned what I have said in my blogs. UMNO failed to secure the majority of Malay votes.

On hearing this I quickly added- yes Tun. In the last elections there were 5.7 million Malay voters and UMNO managed to secure somewhere in the region of 2 million votes.

There you are said TDZ- 3.7 million Malays did not support UMNO. And he then quickly added; you tahu, UMNO has what? 3 over million members kan? Why did it get only 2 million votes?

Then there are the young. What has UMNO planned to rope these people in? You can easily say, out of 10 young people, 8 will likely vote opposition.

And here is a clincher. Both TDZ and I agreed that UMNO now appears to be losing credibility. Whatever UMNO says is no longer readily believable. You have a situation, where Anwar Ibrahim even if he has...dot .dot.dot were to come out and say something or anything, people will believe him. Isn't that an irony?

UMNO is in the sorriest state now. I wanted Kadir Jasin to write something on this, but it didn't get off.

It would have been very interesting to read Kadir Jasin's take on the plight of UMNO now. I take it to mean, that if KJ ( Kadir Jasin ok?) had done so, that would have been more of TDZ there. Readers would not have to endure Sakmongkol's rendition of this conversation.

Tun Daim on leadership.

Tun, I said; you know I come from UMNO Bahagian Pekan. That's Dato Najib's place. Now, I have seen you a few times at Dato Najib's place in Jalan Duta. How do you see Najib?

Yes, Tun said; I meet up regularly with Najib. I sometimes have dinner with him. And I always talked candidly and with utmost frankness with Najib. And I say this: - if Najib does not lead- you know leaders must lead, he will falter. And Dr Mahathir will pummel him.

Dr Mahathir has told this to me. You know Najib has always been playing the neutral kind.

Ambivalent, I volunteered.

Yes, that will not do. Jadi leader, kita tak boleh lembik lembik. Najib has to be resolute and be more affirmative. First he has got to get rid of the deadwoods. Those MBs who have lost- he has got to jettison them. Those MIC and MCA people and others who don't seem to have the trust of their own community- Najib has to let them go. He cannot please everyone. Najib must be prepared to play hardball. He has to risk being unpopular. Najib must have that Dr. Mahathir trait. He must have some ruthlessness.

The function of a leader is always to lead. This means a readiness to take unpopular steps.

And you cannot discount Dr Mahathir. He is part of Malaysia. That's the mistake Pak Lah buat. I asked Pak Lah- go and see Dr Mahathir. Pi lah jumpa dia. Ask him what does he actually want. Dismiss Rafidah, Nazri? Just follow and in return ask Dr Mahathir to campaign for UMNO lah. But Pak Lah didn't want to. At the end of the day, Rafidah wasn't in too (in the cabinet).

I got the impression when TDZ said that, the unpleasantness could have been avoided had Pak Lah gone to see TDM.

Tapi Tun I said; how do you infuse assertiveness kalau Najib is of that constitution?

That's where he must have the support of assertive leaders and advisers. The advisers must be ready to say things honestly to Najib. I takut, he doesn't have that kind of advisers je.

Najib must LEAD. Kalau tidak.....

Kalau tidak Tun, I quickly added- the acronym RAHMAN becomes a self fulfilling prophecy, ending with N as PM.

Yes, said TDZ; N and in E-N-D. TDZ actually spelt out the letters for me. By the 13^th General Elections, UMNO will be no more. Number 13 pulak tu.....hmmm

On Dr Mahathir.

TDZ refers TDM as DR. Mahathir. I can't quite tell you how he pronounced Mahathir in the nuanced Kedahan tongue...Something like Mahathier...not with the accentuated sound of dear.

Excuse me Tun, I said. I need to ask you this question. Masa you selalu bercakap dengan TDM, dia dengar tak cakap you? You know, he being a very forceful character and very on top of things...Ling Liong Sik dulu..mana ada bunyi bunyi pun...

He did, provided you must argue your point. If you are not prepared to argue and reason out, of course Dr Mahathir will insist on his way. You tahu, masa economic crises dulu, we discussed things, two, three of us....we must put up reasoned arguments. Argument kita bagus, dia dengak.....tak kuat, Dr Mahathir will insist on his idea...macam tu.

You see you must be prepared to engage Dr Mahathir with reasoned argument. Plus you must be assertive like Dr Mahathir. Did you see any of the present problems during Dr Mahathir's time? Component parties out in open defiance? NGO's very vocal? Takde kan?

To be continued......the Perak politics, managing the economy and Ketua Pemuda race.