Thanks for the frank talk Dr M, but…

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad talks a good game – he always has.

And for those hearing him for the first time or those without a historical perspective, he comes across as sincere, intelligent and commonsensical. The kind of prime minister we need.

But – and with the doctor, there is a huge BUT – we had him as prime minister for 22 years and Malaysia is still suffering a major hangover from the Mahathir years:

A subjugated judiciary; hollowed out institutions; a culture of easy money and rent-seeking; mammoth failed projects; skewed privatisation; a disdain for the rule of law and separation of powers.

Yes, he changed our skyline, spurred economic growth and actually talked about Bangsa Malaysia.

But we traded mortar for something much more valuable – honesty, justice, a conscience, and fair play.

He built up the country but we lost our soul as a nation. So today, Malays, Chinese and Indians are practically strangers, the result of years of divide and rule and an education system designed to polarise.

Worse, we seem to be at each other's throats every few days. Dr Mahathir picked Tun Abdullah Badawi as his successor and the latter was forced out of office, having disappointed after promising so much.

Dr Mahathir wanted Datuk Seri Najib Razak to replace Abdullah.

Now he is saying that if he were the PM today, he would resign. Really? The evidence through the years suggests otherwise:

Perwaja; the debacle of the judiciary in 1988; Maminco; the tragic failure of Malaysia Airlines; the billions of ringgit in Bank Negara's forex losses; the bailout of Konsortium Perkapalan; the sacking and political persecution of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Operation Lalang.

The list can go on and on.

At the Malaysian Dilemma forum in Kuala Lumpur today, Dr Mahathir says he is a moderate. Using that same measurement, so is Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin, Datuk Ridhuan Tee.

This country is floundering and the Prime Minister needs to understand that it is a privilege to govern Malaysia. With that privilege and high office must come with willingness to work hard.

And if Najib is a slow learner, then he can only blame himself if he is defeated as the Umno president or is kicked out by Malaysians at the next polls.

But Malaysians shouldn't short change ourselves by following a path set by Dr Mahathir or his acolytes.

Because the mess that is Malaysia didn't happen yesterday. – February 12, 2015.