Perwaja's mega financial loss and cover-up is not the only major scandal during Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's reign. When totaled, the cost of the multi-billion scandals is enough to force out any leader of a developed country.

The more worrying thing is what will happen to projects like Proton and Multimedia Super Corridor, etc. when he steps down? Will they die a slow death and continue to bleed us of more billions? Alas, we are far from being developed and public accountability is the least of our priorities.

In the final months of Mahathir's tenure, there will be the inevitable flashbacks and commentaries on his performance over the years. Some will say he is a great visionary, but I say it's easy to be one when you do not have to account for the colossal wastes.

To me, his greatest 'success' has been the ability to stay at the helm of Umno for so long. It is perhaps a reflection of his strong leadership and the poor state of politics in Umno and Malaysia. But as any good sportsman will tell you, it's good to go out when you are on top. Mahathir must have felt the winds of change and felt he cannot plug the dyke.

Mahathir's 'great' legacy is that of colossal mismanagement of multi-billion-ringgit public funds and a leadership succession that cannot carry the day.