In politics, to gain and retain the position of power needs a continuos and difficult struggle but to be able to let go of the hard fought position of power requires another set of determination and understanding on the art of detachment.
After leading the nation for 22 years with a strong grip on every inch of political developments in this country, it is obvious former premier Mahathir Mohamad still finds it difficult to move on and live a life of a retiree statesman.
Since his retirement in 2003 he continues to basks in the limelight with continuos criticism of the current government especially the current premier Abdullah Badawi. Mahathir has been very vocal on the policies and direction of the government and UMNO and the momentum is gaining more speed since BN lost 5 states and the Parliament 2/3 majority in the March 8 election.
He may be very concern with the developments in BN and UMNO that were once his political playground but he ought to understand that you can't eat and keep the cake at the same time. Since he already gave up the nation's premiership and UMNO presidency, he should just move on and let others do their job albeit with occasional statesman-like advice.
If he can't live without those power and way of life, maybe he should just contest for the UMNO presidency again in December and if he wins, be appointed the sixth prime minister of Malaysia. then he can do something on whatever he has been complaining about for the past four years.
Of course assuming Anwar Ibrahim failed to convince al least 30 BN MPs to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat and he himself won a parliamentary by-election, paving the way for him to be premier.
It is up to Mahathir himself to decide whether he wants to be prime minister again and proceed with whatever he left behind in October 2003.
To be given power to rule is a responsibility with trust,
To be able to let go of the power needs courage and determination.
