Writer: Pan Jun Sheng

Kwong Wah, April 23, 2015

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir has intensified his attack and claimed that people do not trust the current Prime Minister Najib anymore. He even said Barisan would lose if Najib leads the election campaign in the next general election.

Dr Mahathir has written many articles against Najib and has also openly criticized his policies and demanded his resignation in the past. But we have never seen his attack so vicious and without any reservation as it is now.

Some people said this was a prelude to forcing Najib to step down. Later, he will follow through with a joint statement by his supporters and party veterans to wear down his hand-picked successor until he resigns, a replay of the toppling of former Prime Minister Pak Lah in the recent past.

UMNO leads Barisan and UMNO President traditionally becomes the prime minister and Barisan chairman. If Najib steps down under Dr Mahathir’s relentless pressure, many people would like to know whether he has someone in mind. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin or UMNO Vice President and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid or Defence Minister Hishammuddin? And who will be the deputy prime minister, his son Mukhriz, the Kedah Menteri Besar, or others?

According to UMNO tradition, if Najib is forced out by Dr Mahathir, DPM Muhyiddin will be the prime minister – unless the various factions fight among themselves to promote their own master. Such a chaotic situation never happened in UMNO as party veterans and grassroots leaders would use their rational to elect a successor.

When a retired politician keeps picking faults with the current leader, it will certainly make the leader and his supporters unhappy. Dr Mahathir withdrew from UMNO because he was not happy with Pak Lah. Will he resort to the same tactic to attract attention and sympathy of UMNO members? Will he use it in collusion with anti-Najib elements from within the party to topple Najib?

Some UMNO sources pointed out Najib has the support of the majority of grass-roots leaders and the 12 Barisan component parties. His position is strong in both UMNO and Barisan, why should he step down half-term?

However, Dr Mahathir has dominated the political scene for a long time and had been successful in forcing Pak Lah out, he should not be taken lightly by Najib and his advisers. They must come out with a strategy to counter attack Dr Mahathir or even take appropriate measure against the former prime minister. Otherwise, as Najib takes a cordial stand, the fire ignited by Dr Mahathir may spread to the detriment of Najib.

Dr Mahathir may be old but he is not senile. He has questioned who ordered his former body guard Sirul to kill Altantuya? He has questioned where Najib’s step son Rizal got his money to buy a luxury apartment in New York from young billionaire Jho Low? If Najib did not give him the answers fast, Dr Mahathir may have even better excuse to slam Najib until he steps down.

Dr Mahathir is getting impatient with Najib. He even accused Barisan government of being wasteful in buying a special jet for the prime minister. Dr Mahathir gives Najib no break. He keeps raising the pressure. But Najib refuses to have an open confrontation with him to avoid a conflict between the veterans and current leadership which may lead to a split. He tolerates Dr Mahathir but it does not mean he is a coward.

Some said Najib has all the tricks up his sleeves. He is not scared as he has many supporters and strong advisers. The ruling camp is only waiting for a good opportunity to retaliate. When the time comes, Najib may give Dr Mahathir no chance at all.

Original Source:
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