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A Political Secretary Wrapped In Intrigue And Mystery

The Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Mahathir Mohamed, thinks, into his third decade in office, with his difficulties with the Chinese community, with his more than usual share of problems, he is better off with a Chinese political secretary. So a little-known 51-year-old lawyer, Mr Matthias Chang, is sworn in. The Chinese newspapers could not decide how his name should be written in Chinese and each had its own variation. This would not have arisen if he was a popular figure in the Chinese community. The MCA president, Dato' Seri Ling Liong Sik, thought it a good choice; it did not bother him that the Prime Minister's first Chinese political secretary is not an MCA member, perhaps only glad he is not from the Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia. Besides, he probably was not consulted about the appointment.

Who Mr Chang is we are not told. He is an active freemason, a member of several lodges in the Klang Valley, but sacked from one for conduct unbecoming. He was a protege of the District Grand Master but fell out when the old man would not make way for him. He sought redress in the courts, lost, and has appealed to the Court of Appeal. He was amongst the first lawyers to sympathise with Tan Sri Eusoffie Abdoolcader, after his dismissal from the Supreme Court in the Saleh Abas affair. He is vocal in meetings of the Bar, makes his points succintly, is, unlike the esteemed judge, relevant most of the time. He is the former legal partner of Mr Justice Ariffin Jaka, who sentenced the former deputy prime minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to nine years jail for sodomy. Legal circles mention Mr Chang, during this trial, as a "useful and reliable conduit" but for what I could not ascertain though I can guess.

He is a Christian, "a bible basher" in the words of one of his friends, knows little or no Chinese. He is vocal in Bar meetings, putting his point of view with verve and confidence. His detractors, even his friends, say he promotes himself with more self-confidence than the causes he espouse. He is appointed to advise the Prime Minister of developments in the Chinese community, but could he with his political and cultural handicaps?

Besides, was it wise of the Prime Minister to appoint one linked inextricably, even if not directly, with the biggest political problem he faces: Dato' Seri Anwar. The prisoner puts the prime minister in mortal political fear. Mr Chang cannot help him with that. He has an equally pressing problem with the Chinese community. Mr Chang could not here either. He comes with enough baggage on him now to be more hindrance than help. St Matthias, or, as he is formally known, St Mattathias, was selected by lot to replace the treacherous Judas Iscariot, Was the latter day Matthias chosen the same way?

M.G.G. Pillai
pillai@mgg.pc.my