In recent months several events point to familiar UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) intrigue. This occurs whenever there is a tussle for power at the highest level. Is Muhyiddin (who just launched his blog – Muhyiddin Yassin for Malaysia), Prime Minister Najib’s Deputy, attempting to overthrow his boss? Najib, who only came into power in April of 2009, is in real danger of not completing a term as Prime Minister (read here).
Muhyiddin has taken some tangential positions to his “boss”. Muhyiddin’s stance on hot button issues such as the “Allah” Court ruling — insisting that Christians drop the usage of the word “Allah” and backtracking on the formation of an inter-faith council to resolve the “Allah” issue through dialogue — were ominous. In fact, Muhyiddin demonstrated his fundamentalist credentials as soon as he became Deputy Prime Minister in April 2009 but strengthened them further in October 2009 (he made racist statements against Anwar Ibrahim), when it was clear that fundamentalists were gaining the upper hand in UMNO.
The context to this is simple — UMNO has two different views on how to remain in power — to become a Malay/Muslim extremist party to capture the Malay votes or to return to the middle ground — which had served it well for the past 52 years. Muhyiddin represents the first view while Najib the second. Unfortunately, due to Najib’s indecisiveness, he is considered the new “Pak Lah” (the former Prime Minister) while Muhyiddin is seen as the new “Mahathir” (read here). Despite, Najib’s policy prescription of “Malay Leadership”, it appears that UMNO is still about “Malay Supremacy” as represented by Muhyiddin.
Najib’s 1Malaysia slogan and policy agenda (read here, here and here) has been systematically rubbished by UMNO hardliners with the support of key government Ministers such as Muhyiddin and Malay/Muslim civil servants and non-governmental organisations bent on ensuring continued “Malay Supremacy” (more here, here and here).
Then there were the fire-bombings of places of worship (mostly Christian) after the “Allah” court ruling which shattered Malaysia’s facade as a peaceful nation where people of different faiths and races live harmoniously. Furthermore, a recent forum organised by JAKIM (the Islamic Development Department) blamed Christians for tensions in the country and a forum panellist threatened Christians with a repeat of May 13 (race riot organised by certain UMNO members after losing 2/3 majority in the Peninsula Malaysia in 1969) — a view which is supported by Muhyiddin but not Najib.
Several startling events point to insiders sabotaging Najib. The story of two missing jet engines which occurred during Najib’s tenure as Defence Minister surfaced after being “…solved…”. It was surprising that the scandal resurfaced under the eyes of Najib’s once trusted ally, the current Minister of Defence, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Since the scandal broke, two individuals, believed to be scapegoats have been charged.
The biggest set-back came a few days ago when the Prime Minister’s special aide, Nasir Safar , allegedly called ancestors of Malaysians of Indian heritage beggars and thieves and women ancestors of Malaysian Chinese prostitutes. This happened at, of all places, a 1Malaysia forum attended by the UMNO’s partners from the Barisan Nasional. Nasir also threatened to revoke the citizenship of non-Malays who challenged the limit of 12 subjects that a student can take at the SPM (Malaysia’s equivalent to O-level) examinations (Muhyiddin is the current Education Minister who came up with this ruling which reduces the value of subjects such as Tamil, Mandarin and Bible Knowledge).
Several commentators have already suggested that Najib is facing unprecedented resistance to his reform agenda and is being sabotaged in the process (read here) as his middle of the road approach goes against the very being of UMNO.
Najib’s position is weak — both in UMNO and nationally. His ruling coalition is unstable with all key component parties facing leadership crises. The economy continues to falter and Malaysia’s weakening reserves suggests capital flight. Anwar’s Sodomy Trial and the ”Allah” issue may drive moderates further away as fundamentalists push UMNO further to the right. Judging by previous UMNO intrigue (e.g. May 13, 1969; Operasi Lalang, October 1987; Reformasi, September 1998), it is likely that Najib will have to resort to underhand tactics to save his position in UMNO — and as always it is innocent Malaysians — mostly likely opposition leaders and democracy that will pay the price.
Read Is Najib On His Way Out (Part II) here
Update (1) 11 February 2010: Malaysia veering towards instability
The influential Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) has released a blistering report on Malaysia.
Update (2) 11 February2010: Muhyiddin says PERC report nonsense
Muhyiddin continues ala “Mugabe” but no word yet from the Prime Minister. The senior opposition member, Lim Kit Siang, has asked the Prime Minister to respond to this report.
Update (3) 13/02/10: Muhyiddin accused of stoking racial tensions.
A favourite target of UMNO chauvanists have been the DAP lead Penang state government. Deputy Prime Minister has accused the Penang state government of disrespecting Islam based on a fraudelent report by Utusan Malaysia.
Update (4) 25/02/2010: The Harakah consultant editor, Wong Choon Mei had alluded to a power struggle in UMNO as early as January 2010.
22 responses so far ↓
1 Is Najib on his way out – from anu.edu.au « Dr. Hsu's forum // Feb 10, 2010 at 5:07 pm
[...] Posting an article from New Mandala from the anu.edu.au site. The article has several links to blog articles on Malaysia, including my [...]
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2 Obama // Feb 11, 2010 at 12:00 am
No matter who take over the Pm post makes no difference in Malaysia.Race and religion is the centerpoint.And UMNO already rotten to the CORE.
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3 harga2sen // Feb 11, 2010 at 12:30 am
You may plan all you want, but Allah also plans and the best planer is indeed Allah.
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4 BennyG // Feb 11, 2010 at 1:16 am
Unfortunately Muhyiddin’s wife is not as “strong” and “valuable” in this kind of situation. Rosmah is merciless and thrive at this kind of challenge. Not even Mahathir could overcome Rosmah. I will not be surprised that Muhyiddin will have an unfortunate event very soon!
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5 azli othman // Feb 11, 2010 at 1:59 am
Najib has no clue what to do. He just wants to hang on to power at all cost and is willing to do whatever it takes. So, he moves from one blunder to another. After he is gone – willingly or deposed – Malaysia will be a very different country. One that is dominated by Muslim fanaticism and governed by an absolute monarchy. UMNO politicians will serve at the pleasure of the King and sultans. Sadly, it shows the limited intellectual capacity of these UMNO elites. How can Malaysia ever be gain first world status?
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6 Antares // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:50 am
We don’t want Muhyiddin either. In fact, we don’t want Umno/BN, period. Long past their use-by date. The only ones who wish to maintain the status quo are entrepreneurs and tycoons with huge amounts invested in business-as-usual. These guys have literally signed over their souls to Mammon.
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7 HJ Angus // Feb 11, 2010 at 9:35 am
nothing new about MY’s ambitions.
Just look how he was one of the main guys who pushed Abdullah out of the PM’s seat.
At 63 he is much older than Najib and time is running out on him for the top post.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2010/01/malaysiakini-and-allah-problem-all.html
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8 No to UMNO // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:25 am
A very accurate analysis.
This country will ‘self destruct in 5 seconds’ should UMNO continue to rule after the next general elections.
Not a single UMNO leader is fit to be PM, be it Najib, Muhyiddin, Ahmad Zahid or Hishammudin.
The only hope is Pakatan led by Anwar (and if jailed) Tunku Razaleigh.
Continued UMNO reign will see brain drain and capital flight and an inevitable racial strife, worse than May 13 1969.
Unfortunately MCA, MIC and Sabah/Sarawak politicians are in favour of this racial disintegration at the hands of UMNO.
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9 JPL // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:45 am
The problem with the theory of Najib pulling off an Ops Lalang or May 13, 1969 and sacking of Anwar is that he does not have the skills for it. Everytime Najib tries to pull off something complicated, it messes up and ending up not being worth it. Scorpene Sub, Altantuya, Perak coup etc. They all end up in a mess.
If Najib tries it and it falls flat, Muhiyiddin will make his move. While Muhiyiddin is gaining support, he also has a problem pulling the actual trigger. If Najib does not let him, he can’t do it. Muhiyiddin may be a traditional hardcore UMNOist but he is no Mahathir or Anwar or even Razaleigh or Musa Hitam. He is not in the same league because all those guys made it there on their own. Muhiyiddin like Najib made it there with help from the top and an entire system established for them to make it. Conditions are also different today than yesteryears and takes more to topple Najib. Given the changes in UMNO, Muhiyiddin can’t just buy some people and make it. He need real grassroot support.
It a case of chicken. Who is going to blink first or at all. Its not so simple. It won’t happen without external pressure and right now, the opposition is being weakened. They need to come back strongly if the two is going to go at each other’s neck.. The good news is that if it does happen, UMNO /BN is likely to be finished and that is also probably something they know and stop them from doing it.
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10 abu sayab // Feb 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm
It will be a disaster, if the rakyat still give the power to UMNO/BN.
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11 Devlin // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:46 pm
There are no permanent friends nor are there permanent enemies in politics. Therefore, depending on the political conscience and direction, it would serve Najib no end to now have an alliance with DSAI to counter the looming threats facing both individuals. With the correct ‘public words’ and the perception of alliance, and some overt action against extremism, the rakyat should play ball.
Yes the rakyat have the power to vote but ultimately, its the powers that be who will make the difference.
For the sake of the country and to mend the rips in the national reputation, the powers that be need to be perceived, yes perceived as acting for the national good. I wouldn’t trust a politician as far as I can throw one but the reality is that they are “mandated” to govern.
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12 The Man from the liquid world // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:32 pm
The people of malaysia had enough of this present government. From CORRUPTION to MURDER .!!! As far as we, malaysians know, this government will do anything and everything to stay in power. Killing is part and parcel of UMNO.
Altantuya was brutally murdered by C4 explosive. Kugan was beaten to death in jail during interrogation. Teoh Beng Hock was thrown out of MACC building. Another hang himself in jail. Now our hero, Raja Petra’s son was forced to swallow razor blade and had his wrist cut during detention. He was tortured physically and mentally.
Who is going to answer to these??
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13 Antares // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Devlin said: It would serve Najib no end to now have an alliance with DSAI to counter the looming threats facing both individuals.”
You gotta be kidding, Devlin (unless you’re merely playing the Devil’s Advocate here). Anwar Ibrahim has been accused (twice) of “committing sodomy” (which constitutes a”crime” only in the perverted minds of the most benighted and hypocritical and therefore is really not perceived as a crime by anybody in their right mind).
Najib is under a dark cloud of suspicion over obscenely huge kickbacks while he was defence minister and his involvement with the murdered Mongolian beauty, Altantuya (no matter how vehemently he denies knowing her, the trail of blood still leads straight to his front door).
Anwar’s candidacy for PM is supported by a large multiracial (mostly urban middle-class) base of voters who are aligned with his “Ketuanan Rakyat” credo.
Najib was shoved into the nation’s highest office by 190 Umno pirate chiefs and their corporate cronies. There was a massive cry of protest over his elevation to PM, including a signature campaign to prevent him from seizing power.
No comparison… and there can be no compromise, unless Najib somehow succeeds in clearing his name – which, I feeel, would be impossible, granted the growing pile of clues linking Altantuya to him.
We don’t endorse the idea of cold-blooded murderers in public office.
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14 Joea // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I doubt Singapore would be pleased with the scumbag becoming PM of Malaysia.
I will be happy to see Singapore doing him in. That would save Malaysia.
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15 sputjam // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:14 pm
None really appealing to me. In fact most if not all UMNO cabinet miisters have some tainted past.
The law minster son should be charged to involuntary manslaughter for the hartamas incident, whereby a young man died from beatings. Instead, foreigners working in the restaurant who were witnesses, were shipped out of the country.
Muhyiddin, for the illegal acquiring of land many years ago and Najib has many scandals, mostly involving women, either dead or alive.
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16 Devlin // Feb 11, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Dear Antares,
What you described is what has happened. That cannot be changed until hard evidence surfaces to clean up the pictures.
Yes I am playing the devil’s advocate with political and a little bit of personal survival as the premise.
If DSAI can be accused of buggery based on fabricated evidence, what would it take to make fantasy disappear? If there is mutual need and a hostile 3rd party, wouldn’t it make more sense for the threatened parties to ally against the hostile party first before going for each other’s jugular? And would that be more to the favour of the rakyat?
If frogs can happen in broad daylight, why not a little clandestine deal making?
This way, the board of pirates would have a little more to deal with.
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17 Antares // Feb 11, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Sorry, Devlin, I cannot endorse what you just said – even if your “personal survival” hinged on seeing Najib and Anwar make a clandestine deal. The dense murk and stygian ooze that characterize Najib’s energy field makes him a highly toxic entity – anyone who tarries too long in his presence will become corrupt and decadent.
There are no two ways about it: Najib & Umno/BN have to go! However, knowing that what’s making them cling on so desperately is the fear of retribution, I advocate making it easy for them to relinquish power. They can buy their way out of criminal prosecution by returning 80% of the money they’ve stolen from the rakyat. This will gain them safe passage out of the country. If they wish to stay in Malaysia, they must be prohibited from holding public office for at least 10 years.
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18 Devlin // Feb 11, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Its not my personal survival I am talking about, Antares but of the 2 personalities being discussed.
I agree totally with the stygian ooze and toxic murk from self-serving rule disguised as governance. I am also not advocating that UMNO or any member of the repugnant horde to remain.
It was just building a scenario that with so many swords out there against Najib and DSAI, it would be strategic for them to look for mutual ground, with Najib still having PM authority and DSAI having the popular confidence.
Subsequent to that, let it be a slug fest between them.
My apologies if there had been confusion cast.
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19 Is Najib on his way out? « For A Better Malaysia // Feb 18, 2010 at 10:26 pm
[...] …read more (New Mandala) [...]
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20 Is Najib on his way out? (Part I) « Malaysia // Feb 19, 2010 at 12:27 am
[...] article first appeared in The New Mandala Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Is Najib on his way out Part 1& 2?Greatest [...]
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21 Hubungan Parasit: Semenanjung menumpang Malaysia Timur « Dewan Pemuda PAS Sarawak // Feb 25, 2010 at 1:22 am
[...] Khabar mula tersebar bahawa Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Muhyiddn Yassin sudah tidak sabar-sabar lagi untuk melawan ketuanya, Najib Razak. Malah, analisis ahli akademik Greg Lopez menjangkakan bahawa “Najib yang baru memegang tampuk kuasa mulai April 2009, kini dalam bahaya gagal menyempurnakan tempoh satu penggal sebagai Perdana Menteri”. 【Baca: Is Najib on his way out?】 [...]
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22 My2cen // Feb 25, 2010 at 7:00 am
Muhyiddin had amassed a great deal of wealth when he was the Johor Chief Minister. His ultra-Malay stance has never wavered, and his ties with the southern grass root UMNO-Malays is very strong. All previous UMNO Presidents had strong sounthern backing. If he can get the $upport of a few of the sitting UMNO ministers, he can very likely pull off a coup in UMNO. He wasn’t in the country when the church attacks took place, leaving the sitting PM to face the public (Mahathir wasn’t in the country when the Baling incident happened, leaving the DPM to face the public). Makes one wonder of his involvement… All is not well with the sitting PM, even his wife’s interview with the trusted govt mouthpiece Bernama went so wrong with her telling the whole world that the PM ‘stomps his feet when he is angry’! (How immatured can he be? Even worse, how silly, no, stupid, is she to reveal such things to the whole world?)
Muhyiddin is seen as a genuine ultra-Malay. He certainty has the support and more importantly, money, to back his campaign to oust Najib. With bad economy for the country and bad press for Najib, all he has to do is bid his time.
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