Shahbudin: Najib-Zahid power struggle imminent

Zahid’s cybertroopers are already referring to him as Prime Minister-designate and Prime Minister-in-waiting.

KUALA LUMPUR: Cheras Umno divisional chief Syed Ali Alhabshee’s explanation that the cybertroopers coming to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s defence was normal, as in Anwar Ibrahim’s case, does not hold water, said a political analyst. “The issue is that the same cybertroopers don’t see any need to defend Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak when he’s under attack.”

Already, added the analyst, Zahid’s cybertroopers are referring to him as Prime Minister-designate and Prime Minister-in- waiting. “He also met with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who wants Najib out, not long after he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister to replace Umno Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who was sacked from the Cabinet.”

Syed Ali needs to understand that a power struggle between the number one and two was normal and has happened many times before this, added Shahbudin Husin. “In the west there’s a saying that the number one and number two are friends in politics but enemies when it comes to power. There’s no indication that Mahathir himself requested the meeting as claimed by both Najib and Zahid.”

If it’s indeed true that Mahathir requested the meeting, said the analyst, Zahid could have politely and diplomatically declined as the former Prime Minister was only interested in getting Najib out. “Why meet with the boss’ number one enemy instead of keeping a good distance? It would not be surprising that the meeting was an indication that Zahid himself wants misunderstandings to arise between him and the boss.”

“Indeed it’s not surprising or strange if misunderstandings (between Najib and Zahid) arise especially now that Najib was increasingly alienated from the people who have taken an intense dislike towards him.”

The analyst was begging to differ with Syed Ali on his take that he (Shahbudin) was attempting to pit Najib and Zahid against each other in a recent blog posting. “What I stated was simply the facts i.e. that Zahid’s cybertroopers are quick to come to his defence and at the same time maintained an ominous silence when I wrote about Najib.”

If Syed Ali thinks that he was pitting the number one and two against each other, argued the analyst, then he should at the same time warn the number two’s cybertroopers to cease and desist and not indulge in speculating and building castles in the air or counting the chickens before they are hatched. “Zahid’s supporters should learn from the tragic fates that befell Musa Hitam and Anwar Ibrahim. Both were deputy prime ministers at one time and were set to be number one.”

Shahbudin nevertheless conceded in his latest blog posting, that Syed Ali needs a big pat on the back for swiftly coming to Najib’s and Zahid’s defence. “This cannot be said to be the same with the other Umno divisional chiefs.”