The Twilight Zone Episode of Mahathir and Papagomo

Growing up, a curious series reran on Astro's free channels—a 1980s remake of the Twilight Zone. In the series, the characters often dealt with very peculiar circumstances—plots ranging from sci-fi to dystopian fiction. Looking at the current political events and alliances, I can't help but think that Malaysians are just in one long episode of the Twilight Zone.

Earlier this month, Malaysians were treated to the absurd sight of Wan Muhammad Azri, also known as Papagomo, being introduced by Tun Mahathir as his "good friend". Wan is known for his loud campaigns against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when the latter was in Opposition. He also criticised Dr Mahathir when the latter joined the Pakatan Harapan (PH) to bring down former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In this weird reality that we call contemporary Malaysian politics, Papagomo has publicly announced his commitment to continue his struggle alongside former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. This alliance is not tied to any political party but is supposedly focused on the broader goals of religion, race, and nation. Papagomo has expressed this commitment as a personal vow to pursue the cause he began in 2008. He had previously vowed not to cut his hair and beard until he found a formal way to fight for these causes, which he felt was fulfilled by joining forces with Tun Mahathir.

This is not the first time that Mahathir has dropped the label of "enemy" for "friend"; after all, Wan is especially familiar with the Pakatan Harapan government—but this shows how far Tun Mahathir has fallen. The fact that he himself associates with a man who is viewed so poorly in his old circles shows the desperation in a man who was once known to have built Malaysia kicking and screaming into the industrial age.

Yet, as people mock the Twilight Zone-sequel happenings revolving around Mahathir's new inner circle, the real story is what Malaysia has become since Mahathir's last hurrah.

Let's take a look at where Malaysia is today.

With a lacklustre economy and higher cost of living, the government should devote its energy to enabling more Malaysians to earn a comfortable life for themselves and their families. The esteemed Prof Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram echoed this call for action. In these potentially desperate times, Malaysians must set aside political differences to deal with issues arising from the larger global economy that will inevitably affect everyday citizens.

Instead, we are left with a government that is far more interested in politicking and serving its vendettas than fulfilling its manifesto - a government filled with figures that grew under Mahathir's watch, with those who are more than willing to play race and religion to distract the public from their inability to govern.

And we are left with a society that is far more focused on invisible threats to faith from socks and disparaging minorities than focusing on building a country – all of which have their origins from Mahathir’s petty attempts to maintain power when facing a crisis.

Now, that is pretty dystopian to me.