My Top Five Newsmakers Of 2024

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“A revolution is coming - a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough - but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character; we cannot alter its inevitability.” - Robert F Kennedy
As usual, my yearly top five list probably is not reflective of the vox populi. These lists are my opinion of the people and events which shaped the discourse and pointed to the paths (most often dark) of the year to come.
The people on this list of newsmakers defined the era of Madani and most of what they did, and in the case of M Indira Gandhi and the family of Teoh Beng Hock, are the shape of things to come.
Fahmi Fadzil
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has a history of distorting the truth and deflecting blame to the press when the mandarins of his party are in trouble.
Even when he was the communications officer for PKR, Fahmi (above) had no problem playing heavy and causing confusion amongst Pakatan Harapan allies.
Take for instance in 2016, DAP’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid had to publicly correct Fahmi about the Kajang Move.
Remember when Fahmi blamed the media for spreading stories about the supposedly non-existent feud between Anwar and Azmin?
“That is something portrayed by the media. I understand that there could be a perception of such, but the reality is, there are no camps. What we have now is a PKR that is strong and united.”
Azmin Ali (left) and Anwar IbrahimI have no idea if Fahmi really believes what he says but what I do know is that one of the more important ministries, which could be an asset to this government, is becoming a liability under Fahmi’s watch.
Teoh Beng Hock’s family
By visiting Teoh’s family, Anwar legitimised their grievances against the state, which is a good thing. However, it remains to be seen if the visit was part of a sandiwara (charade) to manage public perception.
Keep in mind that the Court of Appeal has ruled that - “The death of Teoh was caused by multiple injuries from a fall from the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam as a result of or which was accelerated by an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of the MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigations of the deceased.”
The late Teoh Beng Hock’s familyI hope that Teoh is the reckoning the MACC deserves but the question is, will the Madani state dare spook the security establishment?
M Indira Gandhi
At this point in time, this has become more than just how the state is endorsing a religious kidnapping. At every step of the way, Indira has met nothing but resistance from the state and a political apparatus, which has used her when convenient and discarded her cause when in power.
This is really about how this mother has confronted the state and the state security apparatus through its various permutations, which enabled the kidnapping of her child.
M Indira GandhiWhat this mother is going through, has been going through, is the existential struggle of state-sponsored religious oppression that one day soon, all non-Muslims will endure in a very overt manner.
One day soon, we will all feel her pain.
Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh
What Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has demonstrated is that Umno continues to give the middle finger to Madani.
This is an operative who knows that he is untouchable. This is an operative who carries out the overt hostility the racial and religious establishment has towards non-Muslims.
The KK Mart obscenity demonstrates how state actors can bring non-Muslim commercial interests down to their knees in the most vile manner if it so chooses.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal SalehAkmal is merely following like a good student from the playbook of his elders. Akmal is the smug poster child for the Malay uber alles crowd.
While political operatives from Umno have claimed they have told him to stop these provocations, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has told everyone to cease and desist during the KK Mart obscenity, and while he is under a sedition investigation, he understands that he has the power to give the middle finger to everyone.
Remember what former Umno, former Bersatu, and now Pejuang member Mukhriz Mahathir said - “Looking at Umno when there were big issues which we could not address, we would talk about DAP, Chinese chauvinism, and how Lim Kit Siang becoming prime minister would destroy Malaysia, that the Malays would disappear, and the mosques can no longer air the azan.”
“I admit that I too have said such things, in front of a 100 percent Malay audience. Thinking back, I feel guilty and a sense of regret.”
The Umno Youth chief's war against non-Malay/Muslim participation in politics and social life comes at a time when political realignment of the Malay establishment is taking place.
Akmal will, of course, feel no guilt or regret.
Najib Abdul Razak
Former prime minister and convicted felon Najib Abdul Razak has had a good year.
While the young Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman may get whipped for his offences, folks like Najib, his wife, and former comrades are thriving in Madani, with possible house arrests, discharges not amounting to acquittals (DNAAs) and acquittals.
In nearly every perversion of justice, the prime minister defects the blame to others, forgetting when he was in the opposition, he laid the blame squarely on the person in the seat of power.
When you have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and preacher Zakir Naik arguing that it is better to live under corrupt Muslim rule than an honest non-Muslim rule, this is the definition of the Madani strategies when it comes to Najib. This is the message it sends.
This is the message that the elites, especially those connected with the Umno establishment, are hearing loud and clear - especially with the elevation of Musa Aman in Sabah.
Who needs to fear justice when you have Madani? - Mkini
S THAYAPARAN is Commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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