Najib's choice of date risks fulfilling RAHMAN prophecy'

PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali has given his own prognosis of what is in store for prime minister Najib Razak, saying a wrong choice of date for the 13th general election could well turn the so-called 'RAHMAN' prophecy into reality, ending Najib's and BN's rule.

“Najib finds himself in a fix over the right date for election. Too early and Pakatan Rakyat states may not follow suit [to dissolve state assemblies].

"Too late and the feel good factor he generated through the various aids like the RM100 for primary school children, RM200 for tertiary students and RM500 under BR1M will be forgotten,” Mustafa told Harakahdaily this morning.

The 'RAHMAN' prophecy is so named to represent each of Malaysia's prime ministers: Abdul Rahman (R), Abdul Razak (A), Hussein Onn (H), Mahathir Mohamad (M), Abdullah Badawi (A) and Najib (N). Prior to Anwar Ibrahim's sacking and jailing, it was often argued that he would be the next prime minister after Mahathir, in conforming to the theory.

Temporary 'feel good'

Mustafa pointed out that the 'feel good factor' could not last long.

“To maintain it, election must not be delayed. As Dr Mahathir said, 'Melayu mudah lupa' (Malays easily forget),” he quipped.

So which date is suitable for Najib? According to Mustafa, it could be in June to mid-July.

"Anything beyond that with Ramadan, Hari Raya and Haj on the cards, will not be suitable and would drive away the good feeling,” he added.

Several Pakatan Rakyat states have said they would not stick to tradition by calling for concurrent state elections should the BN government call for general election before June.

Mustafa further said that any delay of state elections in Selangor could make it problematic for Najib to wrest the state back for BN.

This, he said, was because there had been unearthing of a large number of phantom voters in the state, in what he described as the same modus operandi used by BN to snatch away Terengganu in 2004.

"PR may withhold state elections until May 2013 to focus on cleaning up the electoral rolls. Najib can continue to have parliamentary election, and maybe secure a victory, but PR states will remain,” said Mustafa.

Referring to former Finance minister Daim Zainuddin’s prediction that BN was safe only in Pahang, Melaka and Johor, Mustafa asked, “Will Najib dare to call elections if PR states refuse to follow suit?”

“The RAHMAN prophecy will be realised if a wrong date is chosen, and Najib may well be the last prime minister from UMNO and ultimately end Barisan Nasional (BN) rule,” he said.

So who should Najib consult on a suitable election date?

“Rosmah (Mansor, Najib’s wife). She too wants to continue to stay in power, so perhaps she will call elections when she feels BN can win.

"Rosmah’s role will likely be piecing up together all the predictions from astrologers, bomohs and feng shui masters for the right date,” said Mustafa with a smile.

-Harakahdaily