2 hari terakhir bersama Dr. Mahathir

Disiarkan surat pembaca bernama Devinder Sharma yang disiarkan di Malaysiakini, 29 Oktober 2003.

An open letter to Dr M

Only a few weeks back, it was a proud moment for me, like millions all over the world, to listen to your blistering and courageous voice at the UN General Assembly. You have time and again demonstrated at international forums your claims for equality, peace and justice.

The world respects you for your uprightness, leadership and statesmanship. You have lived up to that by announcing your unilateral decision to step down after a long stint at the helm of affairs in Malaysia, turning the underdeveloped country into an economic wonderland.

We all know that the transformation you brought about was mainly due to your forthrightness and vision and partly due to your autocratic way of functioning.

At least, I have a strong admiration for political leaders who know what they are doing. And in that respect, I must say that you surprised the political observers by your astuteness and remarkable leadership.

However, there comes a time in the life and tenure of every leader when his greatness is measured not by the number of years that he has been the undisputed leader of his people but by his sheer humility and ability to pardon his political opponents.

Even Lord Krishna says in Gita, the holy book of the Hindus, that he who is humble, he who tries to overlook the fault of others, and he who accepts his own flaws in retrospect, is the greatest.

Such moments come once in a while wherein history gives you a chance to demonstrate your humility, and thereby your greatness and Statesmanship.

I am shocked to learn that your government, maybe through the legal route of the courts, has found Irene Fernandez guilty of maliciously publishing false news in exposing the conditions in immigration detention camps in August 1995.

What is equally more shocking is that this episode was considered so serious that your courts have pronounced a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment. The unfortunate verdict shows clearly how your government uses institutions to cover up its wrong doings, violations of rights and accountability to the people.

Lord Krishna would have surely hung his head in shame to learn that an activist can be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. I am sure Prophet Muhammad would be dismayed to learn that the great Mahathir Mohamad didn't even think twice before putting a social activist behind bars.

You can't stoop so low, Mr Prime Minister. Don't forget you too have to answer your God. You have a chance to correct your own faulty governance, and as Lord Krishna said, it is your greatness if you accept your flaws and try to rectify them.

You have a one in a million chance to restore the credibility of your judiciary, thereby going down in history as the one who acknowledged the mistakes.
We have seen innumerable leaders who stay long in power but who, because of their arrogance, do not earn their rightful place in history. On the other hand, there are leaders, who even without being in power, are revered and worshiped.

One such leader comes from India. Mohandas K Gandhi became a Mahatma for his courage to represent the people and fight for the rights of the masses. He died for justice and peace. I am sure you will agree that the world will continue to regard him for what he stood for, what he fought for and what he died for.

Dr M, you too can hope to find a respectable place for yourself in history. Better late than never, they say.

The right opportunity is just in front of you. Demonstrate your greatness for once by setting aside the sentence (on Fernandez) and I can assure you the world will applaud you, and hold you in high esteem.

May God, give you the strength to measure up to real greatness