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The unmaking of Dato' Hishamuddin Onn

The most refreshing figure to come into Malaysian politics in recent years was Dato' Hishamuddin Onn, the deputy minister and UMNO deputy youth leader. Much was expected of him, as the son, grandson and great-grandson of distinguished Malaysians, but something seemed to have make him miss his calling. In recent months, he has quickly fallen into line from a politician of whom much was expected of to a "line politician" in UMNO, whose every move can be predicted. I was one of those who felt he had a political future carved out for him: his filial antecedents are a byword in Johore history; his great grandfather was Dato' Jaffar, Prime Minister under Sultan Abu Bakar (the great-grandfather of the present ruler); his grandfather, Dato' Sir Onn Jaffar, founded UMNO and died a political rebel's death still searching for the formula of united Malaysia; his father, Tun Hussein Onn, the prime minister before Dato' Seri Mahathir Mohamed.

With such antecedents, Dato' Hishamuddin had a future carved out for him. But some of his actions does seem to suggest that he wants to be one of the UMNO crowd. His statement yesterday attacking the foreign coverage of interviews with the deputy prime minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is in character with his new role. His statements are to echo the prevailing views of the leadership, not on policy matters, but on their popularity. I have heard it said that he views Dr Mahathir's governance far higher than his father's. Granted that it is a matter of opinion, but when it is that, he should have refused to answer that question. He seems too intent to ensure that he is "of the right mould" for leadership within the present devalued mould. Unless he takes steps to correct that, he would soon descend into one of the hundreds of humdrum UMNO leaders who would disappear into the obscurity they richly deserve. But Dato' Hishamuddin is a far better man than that. The question is: would he come to his senses?

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