malaysiakini and How the PM Can Leave GRACEFULLY

I think most Malaysians believed that Abdullah Badawi was the leader who would lead Malaysia into calmer waters when he first took over as Prime Minister.

However the nation he took over, beset with racist politicians, was not an easy nation to govern and the excesses of the NEP with its wanton wastage in mega-projects made life really difficult and I remember one of my letters was published in malaysiakini urging that he needed more time.

Even before the 2004 elections, another of my letters urged readers to vote him on his own merits. Malaysians gave him the biggest election success but since then progress has been painfully slow.

Today even his own Cabinet ministers openly debunk his leadership according to this malaysiakini article Abdullah under siege to quit.

Quitting and handing over to another UMNO leader may not be in the best interest of Malaysians as UMNO has not changed these past few years and a leadership change now may lead to national chaos. He should know that unlike himself, some leaders are more prepared to retain power at whatever cost.

I believe that the recent ISA arrests and the public uproar should convince the PM that Malaysians want the government to go gracefully as too many mistakes have been made. Meeting with PAKATAN would be one step towards working out a smooth and peaceful transition of power.

Let's face the harsh facts. I don't see any BN leader in sight who will be able to lead a successful campaign in the next elections in 2012 even if he hands over power now. But if PAKATAN gets control now, maybe the BN can blame the next few years of economic hardships on them during the 2012 elections?

You would have heard of the saying, "Man Proposes, But God Disposes"
Source: "There are many plans in a man's heart,
Nevertheless the Lord's counsel -- that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21)

Managing a peaceful power transition to PAKATAN could be the most significant contribution that AAB may make to all Malaysians and I am sure history will remember him kindly for that.
There is another quote from Shakespeare, from Macbeth:
"Nothing in his (political*) life became him like the leaving it"

*word added, not in original quote.