Talk it out, don’t go to court

LIM Kit Siang is the DAP Supremo. He and other DAP leaders are very upset over the statement made by Tun Hanif Omar, a former Inspector-General of Police, that DAP after May 1969 had wanted Peninsular Malaysia be carved out into two, the eastern part for the Malays and the west for the non-Malays. Lim quickly gave Hanif an ultimatum to withdraw the statement or face legal action. Some other DAP leaders even demanded police investigation for sedition.

I would like to suggest to Lim and DAP that they refrain from taking any action against Hanif. The man who served us well over many years to protect us from communists and extremists during a difficult time in our history must be allowed to give his recollections of events that happened nearly 50 years ago.

There is no reason to think he made his remark to stir trouble or to deliberately malign DAP or Lim.

The general election is over. There is no reason to doubt his explanation that a Special Branch report was given to him which led him to make that statement. The Special Branch report could be false or without basis, and we can even concede that Hanif could have made an erroneous conclusion from that report.

Hanif was a well respected policeman. In the eyes of many of us, especially the Malays, he would not deliberately “manufacture” a lie that would endanger the safety and security of this country. He has given more to this country than many other “reformists” combined.

What can the court decision do if Hanif is sued? Regardless of the outcome, Lim’s supporters will hold steadfast to their idol and his reputation will be untarnished.

Meanwhile, those who believe in Hanif ’s integrity will continue to support him too. However, the court case would add more fireworks and the country would go through more turbulence than we are experiencing now.

The Malays are just starting to get used to having a DAP Finance Minister, Communications and Multimedia Minister, Primary Industries Minister, Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister, Transport Minister, Deputy Defence Minister and so on. The Malays are just getting used to having a Finance Minister issuing his press statement in Chinese. The Malays are just getting used to having a non-Malay Attorney General and a Special Emissary to China who is a DAP leader.

In Physics, we learn that when there is an overload or surge of electricity, we experience a blackout. In politics too, we must not put too many “new experiences” on the people as they may not be able to comprehend and accept changes.

I suggest that Lim call Hanif for tea and explain his bewilderment or even express his anger at the latter’s remarks. I am sure Hanif, the gentleman that he is, will oblige with his own explanation.

Two men in their late 70s should be able to talk without acrimony and defuse a difficult situation so that we would have less “surge of electricity” in our politics.

Lim may be thinking that a court case will vindicate and prove him “right”. Being right is not enough for the future of this country.

Leaders need to be humble and wise too. We need to be willing to compromise and talk to one another when we have difficult moments. Humility and wisdom are not in short supply, and a new Malaysia needs that from its leaders. DATUK ZAID IBRAHIM Kuala Lumpur