As No 2 behaves like No 2

Writer: San Xuan
China Press, Sept 14, 2015

The UMNO political game has already been played to the extreme. The recent UMNO supreme council meeting was held amidst raging speculation. Instead of coming up with frosty news, it was warm as the spring time. And the so-called political revenge will depend on future development of the situation.

Whether cornering a trigger or whacking a fallen dog, it should never be done in haste or it may be counter-productive and may hurt oneself. Speculation claiming that Najib would use the supreme council meeting to sack the gang of six headed by the No 2 Muhyiddin in order to stop the turbulent undercurrents remains just speculation.

In fact, Najib was not being magnanimous or compassionate. He has the central leadership in tight control and at the divisional level, 90 percent are under his hold, giving him unmatched power and position. Muhyiddin is not the “politician who is an old man.” He is only a lonely No 2. There is thus, no necessity for an over-kill.

Therefore, all these talks about killing off some leaders were actually a warning by Najib’s faction to Muhyiddin to stop behaving and talking in an incorrect manner. After having his official position removed, Muhyiddin has kept his silence, unlike Anwar who launched his Reformasi campaign then. Better keep quiet and be a quiet No 2 than talk nonsense.

How to behave as No 2? There are lots of creative ways. However, when No 1 has not begun to limp, don’t ever start making a clutch for him. Otherwise, you yourself will end up crippled.

DPM Ahmad Zahid has been talking much about how to behave as the No 2. He said a mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. As such, the No 2 cannot act like a tiger. He can only act like a deer or a lamb, better still like a monkey to provide some entertainment.

When Dr Mahathir criticized PM’s wife Rosmah for being wasteful, he stood up and praised Rosmah as the First Lady with zero defects. It really took one’s breath away. In fact, Zahid was quite blurred about the delicate position of No 2 when he was young. In Dr Mahathir’s time, Zahid was No 2 Anwar’s diehard supporter. He even challenged Dr Mahathir against his crony practices on behalf of Anwar.

Subsequently, Anwar was removed and sacked from UMNO. Ahmad Zahid was hunted down by Dr Mahathir. After many ups and downs, he eventually joined the camp of Najib who was then only a fledging leader.

He kept a low profile for many years. When Muhyiddin succeeded in making a power change, Zahid also rose to prominence together with his master.

Today, Zahid seems to say Muhyiddin has not been behaving like the No 2. Muhyiddin is still the No 2 in the party while Zahid is No 2 in the Cabinet but both are playing the No 2 role separately.

Najib holds the power in his hands and he is of course happy to see the two No 2 leaders pledging to defend his position. That’s the true No1.

Original Source:
做老二就得有老二的樣