A Surat Layang Calls For Support For Tan Sri Musa Hitam - 2 of 2 last

["M.G.G. Pillai" <pillai@mgg.pc.my>]

Uncorrupted and totally incorruptible, otherwise, Musa would have been
in the Multi-Millionaires' Club today and does not need to work for the
son of his former boss!  Musa is with Lion Land, a subsidiary of Lion
Capital in which Mirzen (sic) Mahathir has 23 per cent share.  The sad
irony in life, with specific reference to Malaysian politics, is that if
you are incorruptible, you don't hand out "goodies" like privatized
projects and "negotiated" contracts to cronies and parasites, and you
don't get rich, resulting in your "friends" soon leaving you, and along
with your so-called political supporters because you cannot eve throw
lavish kenduris like other ministers do.  When Musa left the political
scene ("retire from politics", as he called it), some UMNO leaders were
in fact rejoicing as they would now be moving up to where filthy money
could be made.  They never for a moment thought that the party UMNO was
losing the services of a fine leader, they only thought of the golden
opportunity Musa's exist had accorded them for political and financial
enhancement.

Musa's credentials are impeccable;  wide experience in the running of
the government with plenty of overseas exposure and lots of
international friends unlike his former boss who hade many powerful
enemies by his constant confrontations with, and tactless tirades
against the developed countries.  Musa can stand tall among the best in
the world and will bring honour, respect and regain Malaysia's rightful
pride of place on the international scene.

A true patriotic son of this beloved land of ours, politics run in his
blood although unhealthy events (money politics, cronyism, nepotism,
corruption to name a few) in recent years had forced Musa to say, "I
quit" meekly, because fighting a whole horde of corrupted rich UMNO
leaders and their parasites when you yourself are not filthy rich, would
be a futile exercise.  Nevertheless, the patriotic fire that first
started to burn in his heart decades ago when he was a student, is still
raging there strongly, long wishing and ready to serve the party and
coutnry!  His recent press comments, his speech in Johore Bahru and his
interview with the Star writer Mergawati Zulfakar should give a good
insight of Musa's views of the current Party's "No contest" ruling and
so on, but most important of all, don't we read between the lines that
our patriotic son wants to come back and serve and make reforms to
include the injection of new blood into the leadership so that "we will
not suffer from the 'old' syndrome ... tired and burnt out".  Some
people have overstayed in their positions and this "No contest" ruling
will only prolong the agony for the majority, and weaken the party
further instead of uniting and consolidating as it is supposed to do.

Now, we come to the crux of the matter!  In view of what was said
earlier, that Musa did not give projects or contracts etc when he was in
power, would any UMNO leader -- branch, division of Supreme Council --
now, at this crucial moment of Party's history, speak up for him and
lobby support for his return to active politics?  If there are leaders
who dare to be different, then UMNO and Malaysia will see brighter days
and a better future!  Remember this;  Musa is not rich like Ku Li (also
a good man), who can launch campaign after campaign with his personal
fund.

Admittedly, Musa is not rich and cannot launch his own return to active
politics as (A) he cannot command a following to support his cause due
to financial constrain (B) He is proud this kampung boy;  he will not
come to you;  this same self-respect and pride cost him the DPM job.
(C) He will never beg as he is no sycophant.  But if some UMNO leaders
dare to speak out and champion his cause NOW (as time is running out),
then we know the Malay race cannot and will not die because there are
still honourable people around to check and put an end to excesses.

On 18th April this year, Musa will be 66!  He has matured in every
respect, having gone through the various phases in life, has seen the
worst in men amongst our own kind;  has lost more, much more than his
contemporaries or peers.  He lost his DPM job;  he lost his first wife
(in divorce);  he lost when he teamed up with Ku Li to fight uMNO Baru;
he lost his only son Rashid in the unfortunate collapse of the Highlands
Tower.  His total wealth and belongings cannot even compare with some of
the junior UMNO politicians or his fellow Johorean ministers.

Yes, Musa has lost a lot, but deal fellow Malaysians, Musa has not lost
his love for you and this land which is his country.  Even at 66, he is
prepared to come back and bring reforms which, in his view, are badly
needed in UMNO and by the Malaysian Society.

Volumes can be written about this man, but Time is not with us.

Take Route 66 and you will never live to regret your action!

LANDAK
3 March 2000