Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin greeted some of the well-heeled individuals who turned up at Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's breaking of fast (buka puasa) event with disdain.
In a blog posting this evening, the veteran newsman said he harboured no remorse for doing so.
“Their hypocrisy and lack of shame put me off. But still, I accepted their handshake for the sake of civility and common courtesy,” he added.
Kadir said he saw numerous familiar faces during yesterday's event at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya.
He said these people had stuck with Mahathir during the good and bad times.
“But I also saw many who had been absent from his berbuka puasa and other functions for quite a few years. I felt no sense of remorse when I greeted them with disdain.
“They deserved it. They abandoned and disregarded the very person who made them rich and powerful in the first place.
“What was his sin? Nothing! But these hypocrites and backstabbers shied away from him because they were afraid of losing their plump contracts, projects and concessions,” he added.
According to Kadir, these people had become millionaires and billionaires due to Mahathir's good management of the economy during his previous 22 years as premier.
“Some of them were not even businessman. They were academicians, civil servants and technocrats but the Mahathir era turned them into corporate figures – genuine and pseudo.
“When Mahathir was in power they celebrated him as if he was a 'Tua Pek Kong' (Taoist deity) and man of miracle. He was lavishly praised and even more lavishly feasted.
“But when he left office but yet continued to care for the country, many of these people abandoned him for fear that supporting or just being seen with him would jeopardise their billion dollar contracts, projects, concessions or subject them to the scrutiny of the Inland Revenue Board,” he added.
The situation, Kadir said, became worse when Mahathir joined and led the then opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan.
“The mere mention of Mahathir caused them to cringe,” he added.
This is not BN, but a Harapan government
With this group now kowtowing to Mahathir once again, Kadir said it must be made known to them this is not the BN government.
“This is the Harapan government which has promised to be different, open and transparent.
“They cannot and should not expect their multi-billion ringgit public contracts, projects and concessions and, above all, their shenanigans, to be left unnoticed.
“The new government has made it clear that mega projects and negotiated contracts would be re-examined and re-evaluated,” he added.
Kadir said while the government might have to continue working with these people, it must take cognisance of the fact that many struggling businessmen and women fearlessly supported the coalition.
“They should never be sidelined in favour of the fat cats and top dogs of the central business district.
“Their sacrifices and bravery must not be forgotten. This government must endeavour to give the best to the rakyat while helping genuine businessman to flourish,” he added. - Mkini
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