No wonder the stress is beginning to show on his health. Meanwhile, not all the rumors and surat layang are coming from the opposition. So-called friendly camps are spreading gossip that it was really Mirzan who pressured Mahathir to sack Anwar, when Mirzan got cold feet about whether Prime Minister Anwar would protect his interests. These experts at shadow play, including some political operatives in limbo who have latched on to Abdullah Badawi, are also authoritatively circulating word that a silent majority of UMNO members prefers Dr. M to step down gracefully. There may yet be poetic justice Behind the scenes, messenger boys and discreet communiqu s are flying at Mach 3 between the various camps jockeying for position.
Alliances dissolve as quickly as they coalesce in the gossip-driven hubbub.
And so on, as the pattern repeats at the MB level and down the line. But as always in KL, there is truth in some of the rumors. But fM does fear that such a palace coup will do little or nothing to promote political reform. Some of Mahathir's Praetorian Guard set entirely new standards for venality and corruption. Still, there would be poetic justice if after all the energy expended putting down the Anwar threat, Mahathir delivers himself into the hands of the real Brutus.