‘Soft’ Najib must lead or else…

Way back in February 2009, ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin predicted that premier Najib Tun Razak would falter because he was 'lembik lembik'.

COMMENT

This is based on my 45-minute conversation with the former finance minister Daim Zainuddin way back in 2009.

I did not take notes at the time as I wanted to savour the fullness of our conversation.

Hence although the conversation we had wasn’t scripted and therefore not organised, I think I managed to capture most of what were said.

Daim talked in a very assured tone. I would have to say the tone was pleasantly hushed.

You know, the manner by which supremely confident people talk. No need to shout to be heard kind of manner.

We talked about politics, about the management of the economy, even about the Perak political crisis.

We spoke about former premiers Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The conversation

Addressing Daim, I said: “Tun, you know I come from Umno bahagian Pekan. That’s Najib’s place.

“Now, I have seen you a few times at Najib’s place in Jalan Duta. How do you see Najib?”

Yes, Daim said.

“I meet up regularly with Najib. I sometimes have dinner with him. And I always talked candidly and with utmost frankness with Najib.

“And I say this – if Najib does not lead – you know leaders must lead – he will falter. And Mahathir will pummel him.

“Mahathir has told this to me. You know Najib has always been playing the neutral kind,” said Daim.

He’s ambivalent, I volunteered a word.

Yes… that will not do. Jadi leader, kita tak boleh lembik lembik (soft).

Pak Lah did not listen

Daim continued, “Najib has to be resolute and be more affirmative. First he has got to get rid of the deadwood.

“Those MBs who have lost – he has got to jettison them. Those MIC and MCA people and others who don’t seem to have the trust of their own community – Najib has to let them go.

“He cannot please everyone. Najib must be prepared to play hardball. He has to risk being unpopular.

“Najib must have that Mahathir trait. He must have some ruthlessness.

“The function of a leader is always to lead. This means a readiness to take unpopular steps. And you cannot discount Mahathir. He is part of Malaysia.

“That’s the mistake Pak Lah buat. I asked Pak Lah – go and see Mahathir. Pi lah jumpa dia.

“Ask him what does he actually want. Dismiss Rafidah (Aziz), Nazri (Aziz)?

“Just follow and in return ask Mahathir to campaign for Umno lah. But Pak Lah didn’t want to. At the end of the day, Rafidah too wasn’t in (in the Cabinet).”

Najib’s ‘weak’ advisers

I got the impression from Daim that the unpleasantness could have been avoided had Pak Lah gone to see Mahathir.

Tapi Tun, I said, how do you infuse assertiveness kalau Najib is of that constitution?

And he said: “That’s where he must have the support of assertive leaders and advisers. The advisers must be ready to say things honestly to Najib. I takut, he doesn’t have that kind of advisers.”

Kalau tidak Tun, I quickly added, the acronym RAHMAN becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, ending with N as PM.

Yes, said Daim. N and in E-N-D.

TDZ actually spelt out the letters for me. By the 13th general election, Umno will be no more. Number 13 pulak tu…. hmmm

On Mahathir

Excuse me Tun, I said, I need to ask you this question.

Masa you selalu bercakap dengan TDM (Mahathir), dia dengar tak cakap you?

“You know, he being a very forceful character and very on top of things… Dr Ling Liong Sik dulu… mana ada bunyi bunyi pun…,” was his response.

According to Daim, Mahathir did listen, provided you argued your point. If you are not prepared to argue and reason out, of course, Mahathir will insist on his way.

“You tahu, masa economic crisis dulu, we discussed things, two, three of us… we must put up reasoned arguments. Argument kita bagus, dia dengak…. tak kuat, Mahathir will insist on his idea… macam tu.

“You see you must be prepared to engage Mahathir with reasoned argument. Plus you must be assertive like Mahathir.”

The writer is a former Umno state assemblyman but joined DAP earlier this year. He is a FMT columnist.