Awakening: Written by Pak Lah or Kalimullah

We are not sure who started the rumours that the Vice President of PKR, Nurul Izzah Anwar Ibrahim will launch the former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi’s memoir titled Awakening, The Abdullah Years in Malaysia. Maybe there are some truths in it; however, the PKR HQ in Tropicana can’t verify the rumours at all. Many believed that the book was published to start a controversy inside the UMNO circle, and indirectly affect the support for the current PM in the UMNO election process that will start this month up till October. It seems that someone wants to use the Pak Lah Vs Mahathir fiasco to their advantage. Mahathir and Pak Lah are known to have strong links in UMNO and Najib will have a hard time to retain his current position as the controversy by both former UMNO Presidents will affect the votes. Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz was appointed as the Kedah Menteri Besar while Pak Lah son in-law Khairy was appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sports. However, in the current situation we do not see how the book will directly effect the UMNO election that will be held soon. Our justification is simple. One, the book is not written by Pak Lah himself but rather than the collection of Pak Lah’s writing and views of UMNO and Pakatan Rakyat leaders regarding Pak Lah’s reputation as he was appointed at the helm of the nation from 2003 to 2008. The only contribution of the former PM in the making of the book is an exclusive interview with the publisher and editor of the book Bridget Welsh and James UH Chin. Secondly, many belived that the book was actually the handy work of Datuk Kalimullah Meserul Hassan, who is also a close friend of the former PM and amongst those who have benefited through-out Pak Lah’s reign as the PM of Malaysia. The latter took advantage especially in the merger of companies and also Government Link Companies. Kalimullah, as we all know is a person who is being treated like a “pariah” among UMNO members as his views is seen as too Pro-Singapore and anti-Malay sentiment. Because of that his publication does not have any effect to the party and the election that is just around the corner.   Thus, The Pakatan Rakyat should not be too excited in twisting this issue as the book was made to destroy the unity in UMNO as the book is seen as no effect on how we can improve our country following the Vision 2020 project. Up till now, there are no former or current UMNO leaders who are brave enough to comment on the said book. The only comments are heard from the former MIC party leader, Tan Sri Sammy Vellu- of whom are known for his remarks regarding any issue that passed by him.