Why Najib must call for GE-13 before end July

There is a Chinese saying that if someone wishes you this: 'may you live in interesting times', it is more of a curse than a blessing.

Well, Malaysians are living in interesting times indeed. For those who are closely monitoring the political events, it has been non-stop action, drama, thrills and spills since March 2008.

Three years down the line, the speed of action has shown no signs of slowing down.

Instead, the drama promises to get more intense. Pundits say Prime Minister Najib Razak is certainly going to call for snap polls between the 3rd week of June and before the end of July!

There are several reasons for their view. But the main reason is that the noose is tightening around the BN's neck and Najib himself needs to consolidate his power within UMNO.

Noose tightens

Malaysia Chronicle checked with several Pakatan leaders and these are the top reasons they gave for early snap polls.

Problem No. 1 - The French Connection! Before Najib gets "french-fried" for the submarines deal made during his tenure as Defence minister, he must quickly call for the 13th General Election before the open court hearings begin in France.

Problem No. 2 - Besides the French, he has also got to deal with the Sodomy II trial where Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's lawyers have listed him and his wife Rosmah Mansor as key witnesses.

Problem No. 3 - Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. While they smile and appear chummy to each other in public, the undercurrents between their camps is growing stronger by the day. Even now, few UMNO members believe Muhyiddin won't challenge Najib for the presidency..

Problem No. 4. - Unexplained deaths of Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Sarbaini, both at MACC premises. These two deaths are surely a blemish on his record and the last thing he needs during his tenure as a Premier who allegedly places great emphasis on KPI (Key Performance Index).

Problem No. 5 - Sex video is getting messy and has failed to achieve its purpose, which was to topple his nemesis, Anwar.

Problem No. 6 - Economy - rising prices, subsidy cuts, inflation - is getting out of hand and Najib has no answer.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

Although the 58-year old Najib may not be losing any sleep over these problems, heavy indeed is the head that wears the crown.

Also, the UMNO warlords in his own camp are circling round him like vultures as they jostle for pole positions before the general election. Couple that with young Turks like Mukhriz Mahathir and Khairy Jamaluddin and their respective dad and dad-in-law all nipping at his heels, Najib is starting to fray at the seams and visibly so.

If he can somehow by hook or by crook get PAS to join BN, that will surely be his saving grace - a triumph for which he will be hailed as a Hero. Such a coup will take him out of the reach of sinister warlords like Mahathir Mohamad or even Abdullah Badawi.

The only strategic thing to do now would be to call for snap polls before the situation deteriorates and he knows it. If he delays any longer, the submarine deal is going to sink him!

Time is of the essence. He has to go for a quick kill even if not cleanly executed, political watchers opined.

Sneaky de-registration of PKR

Najib has also shown a sneaky side to his character.

He has been cunning enough to keep PKR and Anwar busy with court cases. Besides dealing with Anwar's Sodomy II Trial, PKR is also facing the threat of de-registration by the Registrar of Societies. June 8 is now the crucial date for the courts to hear PKR's attempt to strike out ROS show-cause letter.

If they fail, then June 9 may be the last date PKR stays in existence as that is the deadline given by the ROS.

Meanwhile, Najib is expected to launch a pre-emptive strike - he will strike at his enemies first before he is struck.

Where the French are concerned, he can do nothing. Thus, he will strike at the enemy which is perceived to be the weakest and that is the entire Pakatan Rakyat coalition. He hopes to keep Pakatan leaders busy with legal action and has ordered the mainstream media to continue attacking Pakatan even with 'false news'.

But there is also another thing which the PM may not have reckoned with.

Pakatan leaders are prepared for him.

GE coming very soon

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin told Malaysia Chronicle that PKR and Pakatan are closely watching and anticipating his moves. They have planned their next course of action, she said. However, she declined to reveal what these are.

What is for sure is that Pakatan will not give him an easy time and will fight him tooth and nail till the end.

An exciting June month is certainly in store. Unpleasant and even tragic at times, there is nonetheless never a dull moment in the Malaysian political scene. Yes, we are living in interesting times indeed! - Malaysia Chronicle