Najib needs only one reason to stay as Prime Minister

Writer: Dong Ge Ning
Kwong Wah, Dec 14, 2015

The UMNO internal strife has escalated. Malaysiakini carried a social media video clip on the eve of UMNO general assembly listing 51 reasons why Najib cannot be the prime minister. Besides the RM2.6 billion political donation, failing to control his wife Rosmah properly is also cited as one reason.

The list is long and detailed. The reasons include 1MDB, depreciation of the ringgit and rising prices. It has even changed the acronym UMNO to “Untuk Mohd Najib Only.”

The short video clip posted at an unusual time seems interesting. We can recall that just before the UMNO meeting in 1998, a booklet was distributed giving a list of 50 reasons why Anwar cannot be the prime minister. Anwar who was then the Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO Deputy President was subsequently dismissed.

The video clip which lasted 5 minutes and 44 seconds was posted by Truth Alliance on the Youtube. It was a hit as at 9,30pm on Dec 9 – six hours after its posting – there were 27,000 viewers with 14,000 pressed the “Yes” key.

Maybe Najib has 51 reasons why he cannot be the prime minister; he needs just one reason to stay on his post, which is the support of his party and those of Barisan component parties. He will still be the head of the Cabinet as long as he gets such support.

Malaysiakini interviewed eight delegates of the three UMNO wings. Maybe the sample was a bit small but of the eight, seven supported Najib and three of them were from Johor, Muhyiddin’s fortress.

Not only that, Penang Kepala Patas UMNO delegate said boldly that UMNO Youth not only supported Najib, he suggested that if there were differences between Najib and Muhyiddin, Muhyiddin should step down. From his tone, one could clearly see the situation.

Yes, Dr Mahathir is facing a disciple who is even smarter than him. Moreover, Dr Mahathir does not have party resources. He couldn’t do much in the deployment of government machinery. How can he win in such a disadvantageous position?

In the political arena, what counts most are the current position and authority, not past sentiments or relations. This is the rule of the political game. Dr Mahathir is having a taste of bitterness.

Since Muhyiddin is no more the Deputy Prime Minister, he must expect different treatment. He has to realize this to understand why he was not allowed to make the rounding up speech at the UMNO assembly closing ceremony.

Najib’s tactic is sharp and smart. Even a veteran like Dr Mahathir could not do much with Najib, not to mention the inexperienced Muhyiddin.

What Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin face is not an individual but a system. Party president can come and go but the party operation cannot be changed. Those who understand this can lead the party.

As the UMNO strife escalates, the position of Muhyiddin and his supporters is getting weaker. In the past, even the founder president Dato Onn Jaffar had to leave in sadness when he lost support. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who founded UMNO 46 also had the same experience.

Only those in power can control everything. Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin have been long in politic. Why do they still carry on with their struggle? Don’t they know such a simple principle?

Original Source:
纳吉任首相，只需一个理由