With big lead in popularity, Najib heads for win in Umno battle

Najib is expected to be returned as Umno president at the party’s upcoming elections. — File picKUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak is likely to prevail in the upcoming contest for Umno’s presidency because there is practically no one in the country who matches his stature and popularity at the moment, Singapore’sStraits Times (ST) newspaper reported today.

The newspaper said that the win will strengthen his position as prime minister and give him the power to carry out his “national reconciliation” after the divisive May 5 general election.

In an analysis of the post-GE13 scenario, the Singapore daily pointed out that possible contenders for the party’s top post could be his own deputy or one of the three vice-presidents. 

It could even come from an unknown Umno member who mounts a symbolic challenge just to embarrass him or to underline the unhappiness of some sections over his leadership, the daily noted.

“Some say Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is unlikely to challenge his boss as he appears to be sticking to his role as a loyal deputy. But things may change if he feels he will get sidelined during Mr Najib’s second term. Nonetheless, without the backing of (Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), Tan Sri Muhyiddin can expect a very tough fight which could cost him his political career.

“As for Dr Mahathir, he will remain in the background, now that his son Datuk Mukriz, the new Kedah Menteri Besar, is back on track in his political career.”

Despite the BN’s poorer overall electoral results, Najib’s leadership had ensured Umno succeeded in netting a significant nine more seats in Election 2013, giving the Malay party a total of 88 in the Dewan Rakyat compared to 79 in Election 2008, the paper reported.

Although Dr Mahathir had said that Najib may be ousted in party polls, the 87-year-old’s recent remarks to journalists in Tokyo signal that Najib’s position is safe for now due to the “lack of an alternative”.

“Dr Mahathir’s words imply that he is not inclined to do the same to Mr Najib. Other contenders will now have to think twice before making any move against Mr Najib in the party elections. 

“Mr Najib is likely to survive the battle in Umno. The new mandate will give him the clout to execute reforms in the party in order to make it relevant to all Malays, especially the urban middle class.

“It will also strengthen his position as the prime minister in dealing with national reconciliation after the divisive election.”

Election 2013 saw the ruling BN returned to power with 133 federal seats to PR’s 89 seats despite losing the popular vote by scoring just 48 per cent to PR’s 51 per cent.

PR leaders have maintained that Election 2013 was fraught with irregularities, starting from the use of an indelible ink that was not indelible to discrepancies in the voter roll and outright cheating on Polling Day itself through the alleged use of phantom voters and electricity blackouts.