Dr M-Pak Lah Conflict Needs No Peace Effort, Say Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- It is difficult to resolve the dispute between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi through a mediator, instead, it will fizzle off when the time comes, according to several political analysts.
"Let it (the conflict) be, it will come to an end. Dr Mahathir will return to Umno and Pak Lah (Abdullah) will resign, that's why Pak Lah said he will step down when the time comes.
"Let it be decided through time (how the crisis will end)," a former dean of the Arts and Social Science Faculty, University of Malaya, Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling told Bernama when commenting on suggestions by several people that the dispute between the two leaders be resolved by a mediator including Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Prof Zainal said he did not feel that any peace effort would be fruitful because Dr Mahathir was noted for his firmness when making a stand.
"When he makes a decison, he will not turn back. So, I don't believe any effort to unite Pak Lah and Dr Mahathir will succeed," said the expert on Malay socio-culture.
He also felt that the move by Dr Mahathir to leave Umno was not unusual in politics because the issue of Umno leaders quitting the party had occurred during the administration of the former prime minister.
The Director of the Institute of Malay World and Civilisation, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, said the suggestion for the peace effort was unrealistic.
"Those who suggested the peace efforts do not see the actual contents of the political competition and the aspirations of politicians. That's why I say it is not realistic," he said.
He said the issue between Dr Mahathir and Abdullah was also clear, that is, the former prime minister wanted Abdullah to step down from the government and party posts.
"How do we resolve this. One man wants the other to step down while the other refuses. This is a question of survival for Abdullah, how can Pak Lah make peace," the don said.
Shamsul Amri concurred with Prof Zainal that peace efforts by any group would be futile because both leaders had their own peculiarities. "There was also an effort to get them to reconcile their differences in the past, but to no avail.
Furthermore, the issue is very clear. Dr Mahathir is okay with Abdullah, it's only that he is not okay with Abdullah as prime minister and party president. So, what is there to reconcile," he said.
Meanwhile, the Dungun Umno division head, Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan said the bigger agenda now was to strengthen Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN).
"I am not in favour of Dr Mahathir quitting the party, but he had made a decision to leave. As an Umno member, I personally am loyal to the party and the present leadership.
"Whether the leadership is right or otherwise should be determined through the election," he said.
Rosli said any effort at getting the two leaders to reconcile their differences should come from the Umno Supreme Council.
Yesterday, Umno veteran Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa suggested that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin becomes the mediator to resolve the crisis between Dr Mahathir and Abdullah.
Abdul Aziz felt that the crisis should be ended immediately.
The reconciliation was also suggested by another Umno veteran and former Wanita Umno head Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, who politely asked Pak Lah to make the first move to meet Dr Mahathir to discuss their differences.

tunku : it is true that no mediator could resolve this matter, the only way is for pak lah to resign but if we waits like what zainal kling said that let it be decided through time than umno will be in serious conflicts and and won't be able to raise back in time for the next general election. pak lah has to resign by this year.as for pak lah there's no such thing as politely,he must be shown the sign right infront of his face , then only will he understand.