Najib’s position solid as rock

By Ye Zhi Bin
Sin Chew Daily, 11 December 2015

Despite Prime Minister cum Umno chairman Datuk Seri Najib is entangled by 1MDB and RM2.6 billion political fund issues, judging from the Umno assembly, his position as chairman and Prime Minister is still solid as rock.

Najib’s speech on privileges of Bumiputras and solidarity has successfully aroused the delegates’ sentiment.

Instead, the delegates do not have much reaction towards the presence of deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir.

Judging from Umno’s history, there has never been a leader stepping down due to lose of support or scandal. Majority of leaders stepped down due to defeat in power struggle in the party.

Najib is in control of power and resources

Umno’s founding chairman Datuk Onn Jaafar left the party to set up another as he was rejected by the proposal to open up Umno for non-Malays. Second and Fifth chairmen of Umno Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdullah left in the similar predicament. Both encountered obstacles in general elections and finally handed over the baton under immense pressure from the party.

Deputy president faced the same scenario, Tun Musa Hitam and Datuk Seri Anwar left and sacked respectively after having a bad relationship with Dr Mahathir.

On the other hand, party elections in Umno have also witnessed that leaders who were in the centre of scandal may not be doomed.

In 2013 party election, for the first time, Umno adopted a seemingly more democratic and transparent election system of “one division one vote”. Datuk Seri Shahrizat, who was embroiled in the centre of National Feedlot Corporation controversy, still retained her position with high number of majority votes. This reflected the “loyalty” of party members to leaders.

Various levels of Umno leaders and their connection with the government are tied together. Currently the power and resources of the government is still under control by party chairman and Prime Minister.

It is not difficult to understand Najib is still able to secure support from grassroots and central leaders of Umno due to consideration in interests.

Muhyiddin loses power

Another reason for Najib’s position to be solid as rock is due to deputy president Muhyiddin who has lost his actual power and remains in a disadvantage position.

At the Umno assembly on Wednesday, Umno youth chief Khairy, Wanita chief Shahrizat and Puteri chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati are unanimous in support of Najib. Muhyiddin looks set to have lost.

Despite the Umno supreme council meeting held on Wednesday night did not take action against Muhyiddin, but after being removed as Deputy Prime Minister and minister, the base of Muhyiddin’s power has been emptied. He did not even have the right to speak at the assembly. It is not surprising for Muhyiddin to joke that he is like “a piece of wood”.

Criticism lacks fiery momentum

Muhyiddin’s speech on the eve of Umno assembly at Sultan Sulaiman Club did not offer the much anticipated “ fight back” but only requested Najib “to go on leave” pending investigation. He repeated himself in the long speech. There was criticism but lacked fiery momentum.

Even if Umno wants to take action against Muhyiddin, it does not have to do so during the assembly. Umno Secretary-General Tengku Adnan announced last night that Umno disciplinary bureau had officially started investigation on whether Muhyiddin’s speech made at the Sultan Sulaiman Clun violated party constitution.

Umno grassroots’ voice of “toppling Najib” is also weak and unable to form powerful fight back.

Debates in Umno, its youth and wanita wing are relatively “harmonious.” There are no provocative statements controversial enough to hit the raw nerve of the leadership. Topics of debates centre on living costs, collaboration between Umno and PAS, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and Penang state government’s policy and others.

As Umno has deferred its party election 18 months while 1MDB and RM2.6 billion are pending investigation, this means it is almost certain that Najib continues to lead Barisan Nasional in the next General Elections.

Najib plays race cards

Najib plays race cards and solidarity in his policy speech as party president. By stressing on “Umno is the guardian of Malays and Islam”, he urges party members to be loyal to leadership, remains united to strengthen party and has also toned down the negative impact of 1 MDB and RM2.6 billion political fund.

Despite the two issues receive national and international attention, Najib, in his speech, touched the matters lightly and spent more on the fate and politics of Malays.

By making the call to “defend Malays and Islam” and hinted DAP’s “refusal to fight for Islam, reject Malays and Bumiputra” as well as sending good will signals to PAS to reflect that Malays, Islam and the political fate are more pressing issues.

Original Source:
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