Stop pitting DS Mukhriz Mahathir against his father

Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabshee

It's sad to note that some politicians within UMNO are trying to expand their own personal agenda by pitting Kedah Menteri  Besar DS Mukhriz Mahathir against his father and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Kedah state lawmaker, Datuk Ahmad Lebai  Sudin, has asked Mukhriz to make a public stand against his father.

And it's all being done in the guise of rallying support for Prime Minister YAB DS Najib Razak.

YAB DS Najib has a groundswell of support not just from UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders but also from UMNO grassroots.

Contrary to popular conspiracy yarn being spun alleging YAB DS Najib is facing dwindling support, the Prime Minister's position is anything but shaky.

The common notion is that politics is all about clever, manipulative and dirty strategies angling for power.

We can depart from this old adage and hold on to our principles, without thinking it's acceptable to do anything for one's career advancement.

Clearly Datuk Ahmad Lebai has his own personal agenda, maybe even gunning for the Menteri Besar seat.

But it's about time that someone tells him that it's unwise to ask a son to go against his father.

I humbly request the Bukit Lada Assemblyman to ponder if he would like that from his own son.

DS Mukhriz Mahathir

We should therefore welcome DS Mukhriz's neutral stance and not force him to make any statements next week. Once the investigations into 1MDB concludes, let DS Mukhriz decide what statements he wish to make.

It's also inherent in our culture that an honourable son should not advance his career at the expense of his father.

One of Malaysia's biggest strength is its political stability. And we need this peace and harmony to continue.

So let's not instigate YAB DS Najib and Dr Mahathir to continue the spat any further. We need to, instead, create an environment where these two leaders can actually make peace with one another.

We need not concern ourselves with support for the Prime Minister. We are all supportive of YAB DS Najib.

So let's focus on diffusing the strain between YAB DS Najib and Dr Mahathir, for it's crucial for the country and the society that we live in.