NO, NAJIB NOT BRAIN-DAMAGED: He's busy plotting his exit as Umno seniors get cracking on replacement

During the GE-13 Datuk Seri Najib Razak had taken all the necessary steps to secure his position and if possible to make him invincible such that he could have the stronghold both in Umno and the country. This would allow him to be ‘Emperor’, no matter how naked the Emperor may be.

With the most number of seats (88) won by Umno compared with every other party and the previous general elections , Najib must have been very confident that his plan had gone very well such that many Umno leaders became arrogant and racist. Najib embarked on his ‘revolutionary’ ideas of 1Malaysia and the various Transformation Programs.

Unfortunately after feeling invincible, Najib took advantage of of his huge power to create mega scandals, adding to the ones which he had created earlier. He was simply foolish enough to allow debacles to get out of control or perhaps he was morally too lazy to clean up the old ones or was too inefficient and incompetent.

Compare the 9 years that Najib took from 2008 onwards to 'build' these scandals until now, with the time left until the GE-14 (about two years) toresolve all the scandals, it's no wonder Najib is really desperate and at times either panicky or simply out of focus. Still somehow Najib has to adopt a two prong approach in very action and maneuver he makes.

a) To solve the problems wholly or partially in order to stay in power and b) To make sure that the steps taken would also facilitated his exit plan if it becomes inevitable.

This is based on the drastic actions in trying to gain and show of support, in his efforts to bail out 1MDB – the latest possibly by using TNB , then protecting whoever necessary and lying all the way, but at the same time not to intimidate anybody and most importantly Tun Dr. Mahathir.

Najib has sickened Malaysians and many in Umno with his deceitful excuses for pet project 1MDB's financial scandals

Najib has been cautious and restrained in rebuking Dr. Mahathir and any harsh reply would be done by his sycophants like Tan Sri Mohd Salleh Keruak. Najib has not said a word after his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin asked him to sack the entire 1MDB management team and bring in the PDRM to investigate.

Quietly Najib has also prepared for any eventualities either to stay until GE-14, or to determine the most appropriate time and occasion to announce his resignation to ensure smooth transition of power and his not so graceful exit.

Najib must have realized by now that he is not popular anymore, in fact he was never really popular.

Every citizen, colour and creed in the community and group of people in the country have their own dislikes, anger, complaints and things to say against Najib. After all they have many to choose from.

The “unsinkable” Scorpene submarine scandals with RM500 million untraceable commissions, the murder of Altantuya, Sirul and Azilah, the FGV shares and the eventual de-listing, Rosmah’s extravagance, golfing with Obama when the people were inundated by floods, 1MDB fiasco, Tabung Haji-1MDB land deal, toll hikes and extension of the highway concession agreement, the AES day light robbery, the over budget KLIA2, alignment of the MRT, PDRM, huge number of foreigners and illegal immigrants, education standards, PTPTN, corruption, wastages, racism, religious intolerance, the word “Allah”, GST and the list can go on and on.

Even those receiving the BR1M are not happy because the amount is not enough and many still have not received the latest BR1M allocated for them!

Now who would be the most appropriate person to take Najib’s place? Is finding the next Prime Minister like going on a ‘wild goose chase’? Fortunately it is not. The choice of candidates is limited amongst several leaders who are members of parliament in the Umno/BN who have the potential to lead and unite Umno/BN and if possible the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Leaders in the PR and non-Umno parties are automatically disqualified because Najib will make sure that his resignation will only be an internal Umno matter. Thus Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datin Seri Wan Azizah, Lim Kit Siang and Datuk Seri Azmin Ali are out. Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and his ‘unity government’ team are also out of the picture.

With just one video, Muhyiddin transforms from 'lazy' to 'hero' , striking a chord with Umno grassroots with his courage albeit a bit late in coming

Najib would be unwise to call for a snap election because it would be too risky as the present situation and for the next two years are times of uncertainties. But that is another story.

Many political observers have suggested several names but the most popular ones are either Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah or the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin. Those in the Umno Supreme Council and the three Umno Vice-Presidents simply would not measure uo to the tasks and responsibilities ahead because of their track record, short comings and simply the consensus amongst Umno people.

In determining between the two; whether Ku Li or Muhyiddin the rest of the Umno top leaders and the Umno warlords like Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tun Abdullah Badawi, those in the Umno Supreme Council, influential Umno veterans, heads of Umno think-tanks, NGOs, pro-Umno academicians and their runners and proxies will be very busy discussing, arguing, agreeing, disagreeing and even threatening busy in engaging in the crucial decision to be made.

At the initial stage, when these people feel that their views are not being heard, they will form a group to lobby and eventually there will emerge two clearly defined group, one in favour of Muhyiddin and the other Ku Li.

From here on the choice would be clear based on the number of people in each group and the majority will of course have more say. But since the move to oust Najib has been initiated by Dr. Mahathir, he would of course be given the final say.

Both Ku Li and Muhyiddin have their strong points and weaknesses. Both of them have the experience and qualifications. They do not have any real problems with the people in Umno both in the pro- Najib and anti-Najib groups.

Dr M, still able to rally the public, despite his age and despotic politics

Ku Li has contributed to Umno and the country. Muhyiddin has been very steadfast with Umno but has not yet contributed much to the country. Ku Li has many grass root supporters within his constituency in Gua Musang. Muhyiddin on the other hand has not many grass root supporters. But both of them do have their friends within and out of Umno/BN and even amongst the opposition.

But Muhyiddin has two aces with him. He is the one who broke the silence and totally crushed the so-called unanimous support that Najib has been boasting through the recent video mentioned earlier. The second ace is; Muhyiddin has never angered Tun Dr. Mahathir and has never been his enemy.

Ku Li on the other hand has done nothing much in contributing to the ouster of Najib except for his disappointing speech in parliament in March this year. However, Ku Li has angered Dr. Mahathir before by challenging Dr. Mahathir’s leadership resulting in the formation of the now defunct Semangat 46 party and de-registration of Umno.

Although Dr. Mahathir has not mentioned it in his recent speeches, he will remember that bitter experience until he dies. Thus Ku Li may not be the chosen one unless Dr. Mahathir could be more rational in making his decision. Actually this event really showed that Ku Li has the trait, potential and capabilities to lead Umno better than Najib or anybody else presently in Umno! And this includes the plodding Muhyiddin, who before his shock video has been a rather 'lazy' leader - hence Puad Zarkashi's attack.

Lazy Muhyiddin the sudden 'hero' for having the guts to stand up to Najib & risk Umno isolation

Muhyiddin on the other hand lacks the qualities of a leader. Although he has voiced out his opinion which at times seemed to be against Najib, he never follow up the issue till the end. He nevr put his foot on any issue that he disagreed with Najib!

Ku Li - the right IQ and cerebral criteria but where is the fire in his belly?

Even the video showing his defiance against Najib was uploaded without his knowledge. Muhyiddin does not have the gut to go against Najib and this is his major weakness, unless he has only trying to play safe. If Muhyiddin had himself uploaded the video, that would be a different matter entirely and there should be no question as to who should replace Najib!

But the most important criterion is who will be accepted by the people in Umno?

In making the decision, Dr. Mahathir would be wise enough to make everyone happy if not fully satisfied. There will be compromises and sacrifices to be made and to ensure Umno remains united when Najib is gone.

But who would be the one Dr. Mahathir choose? Let us wait and see the events unfold in the making of our history. - MAILBAG