Najib taking advantage of Dr M's gloom to delay GE-13?

In spite of multi-billion ringgit worth of cash disbursement as well as a nationwide tour to distribute cash aids, prime minister Najib Razak may yet again delay the eagerly awaited 13th general election, thanks to a gloomy prediction from former UMNO strongman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister yesterday said he could not predict the outcome of the next GE citing what he said was a confusing situation.

But one thing Mahathir was sure about: Barisan Nasional should forget about regaining its once-traditional two-thirds majority.

“The opposition now is not like that of the past, and the current situation is rather confusing,” he added, in what appears to be a break away from so-called opinion polls claiming Najib’s rising popularity.

Najib and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin had earlier embarked on a series of nationwide stopovers to deliver election goodies and cash under the 1Malaysia aid programme.

It was revealed in parliament yesterday that a total of RM608.68 million in urgent allocation approved from January to March 15 had been disbursed by the duo during their various tours spanning 12 weeks.

Prior to this, Najib said BN would succeed in recapturing Selangor.

'Bereft of intellectuals'

Dismissing such hopes, Mahathir also chided UMNO for shunning “professionals and intellectuals”, resulting in many capable Malaysians joining PAS.

“For decades UMNO has ‘not allowed’ the smart ones to join the party. That is why many doctors have joined PAS," said the former medical doctor.

"This ultimately makes it difficult for UMNO to find suitable candidates in ensuring victory in the elections,” he said.

Mahathir called on UMNO branch and division leaders to open up and select their candidates not only among UMNO members.

In his response, DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang said Mahathir's remarks had set the stage for Najib to do another “flip-flop” by pushing the election date.

Lim said this was despite Najib’s speeches during his 12-week tours had given strong indication of election, at least by June.

“But something very strange has happened in the past few days as if all the momentum for a June elections have suddenly faltered.

"Has Najib’s confidence of a sure win in the 13th GE in June this year been shattered by Mahathir’s repeated gloomy warnings?” he asked.

Mahathir’s view is seen to complement another gloomy prediction by his former protégé, Daim Zainuddin, who recently said BN was safe only in three state, namely Johor, Melaka and Pahang.

Judging by his accurate prediction that BN would lose five states in the last general election, analysts have said that Daim's warning appeared to have triggered panic among the UMNO leadership.

-Harakahdaily