ALL-OUT WAR TO ERUPT IN UMNO? All eyes on Dr M’s speech at Perkasa assembly today

PETALING JAYA - All eyes will be on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he launches non-governmental organisation Perkasa’s convention today.

While the general public and opposition parties wait for Dr Mahathir to add fuel to his seemingly strained ties with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno delegates wait anxiously for further revelations.

With the Umno annual general assembly scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Dr Mahathir’s speech is considered to be a prelude to come at the assembly debate.

This despite speakers being briefed on guidelines for what can and cannot be said, given the sensitivity of issues such as Chinese schools and vernacular education.

They will scrutinise and decipher every word of the speech, searching for hidden messages and translate them accordingly. Some may pick up points and expand on them in the debate later.

Given the so-called delicate relationship between Dr Mahathir and Najib presently, Umno delegates will be looking at clues to confirm this theory, not just the points and arguments raised by Dr Mahathir.

With Perkasa’s philosophy of protecting Malay rights, the monarchy and Islam, Dr Mahathir’s speech is expected to spur the Malay spirit and better understand the issues affecting the community.

Umno’s current weak position is expected to figure prominently in his speech, and in fact, the ex-premier had suggested Selangor Umno be disbanded and pro-tem committees appointed to rejuvenate the party in the state.

In this aspect, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin has already expressed fear the Malay party could become irrelevant come the next general election if party members persist on living in their comfort zones.

While Dr Mahathir’s speech may provide the core points for speakers at the impending Umno debate, speakers may add their own points to impress party leaders.

Dr Mahathir is seen as the front man to pressure Najib into changing the moderate and reconciliatory approach and not replace or amend the Sedition Act.

Perkasa views Najib’s transformation as not in accordance with its struggles, particularly concerning Malay rights and the sovereignty of Islam.

Since Dr Mahathir will be opening Perkasa’s annual convention, he is expected to stress Perkasa’s role in defending the Malays, the monarchy and Islam without going overboard.

The timing of the Perkasa convention a few days before the Umno assembly — whether purely by coincidence or not — is viewed by many as the perfect curtain raiser for the Umno assembly. -Malay Mail