ALL TO GAIN, NOTHING LOST AT MYKMU JOHOR FORUM.

Some people may think that the issues raised at TDM’s latest dialogue at Mykmu Johor offers nothing new. Perhaps but for sure its target audience were a set of different people namely concerned Johorians and the state’s UMNO grass roots that could make the major difference for the future. We know for sure the people in Johor (as elsewhere in the country) are so fed up with PM and the 1^st Family and these Johorians, having waited patiently for so long, finally heard from the most respected citizen and former prime minister of this country for 22 years talking about the ills, shortcomings and dangers befallen on their beloved country and UMNO. Of course these people have heard the same issues but yet they still came to give respect to this extraordinary man who practically gave his life’s service for the betterment of the Nation. Perhaps upon listening to the same issues with some additional pointers and presented from the same or different and varying perspectives, these people would convince themselves on the intricacies confronting and consequences in unseating an incumbent PM. Perhaps too, locked their minds, they realized the significance of UMNO to lead rather then being led due to its apparent political weaknesses; the dialogue offered them the opportunity to interact with others sharing the same concern and the need to spread the distress again.

Joceline Tan of the Star (18 May 2008) was perhaps correct in her “Lull before the Storm” to point out that “the UMNO ground has quietened down because people have made up their minds” and “silence does not mean everything is okay”. “UMNO members are all concern about the leadership transition and the future of UMNO”. We all remember it was Johor UMNO grassroots who magnificently call for a clear exit plan in treating the PM with dignity. That Mykmu JB forum provided TDM another excellent venue to reiterate his call that UMNO, to be bunged from being continually weakened, should immediately dismiss PM. “Parti UMNO tetap kekal, tetapi pemimpin boleh silih berganti'' TDM reiterated while giving some names as possible replacements; he has no preference so long as the party remains united and for party members to close ranks. PM and the 1^st Family will continue to do almost anything under the sky just to remain in power, not necessary in the best interest of UMNO and the country but surely for their personal vested interest. As such, there should not be any lax in that call even if most UMNO members have made up their minds.

TDM rightly believes in continuing his efforts in sustaining the pressure for the change in the present leadership and I am sure wherever he goes, he will be given the deserving respect due to his astute statesmanship. Those wishing PM (more so to exterminate the detrimental influence, interference and meddling of the 1^st Family as well as the extended 1^st Family) to quit soonest rather later should appreciate TDM approaching the same issues (many of which are still unsatisfactory explained) until the objective is accomplished. Many other issues will readily unfold as the deadline approaches.