Shahbudin: Muhyiddin has begun fighting back

Najib and his supporters may try and prevent the December 7 function from taking place at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru where the Umno number two will deliver his message to party members and the people.

KUALA LUMPUR: A political analyst, taking to his blog on sacked Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin , expressed confidence that there will be a good turnout at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday 7 December at 8.30 pm when he delivers the message that he won’t be able to deliver at the Wanita, Youth and Puteri annual general meetings and at the closing of the Umno Annual General Assembly. “Those who turn up should not see December 7 as all about Muhyiddin.”

“This is all about bringing change and reform. This is about bringing even greater pressure to bear on Umno President and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who stands in the way of efforts to save the party, government, economy and country.”

The immediate question that arises is whether Najib and his supporters will try and prevent the December 7 function from taking place, said Shahbudin Husin the analyst. “Alternatively, they might try to make sure that only about 1,000 people or less turn up to hear Muhyiddin speak.”

“In that case, December 7 will be seen as a failure on the part of the Umno number two.”

The analyst feels that no doubt the people around Muhyiddin will work hard to ensure that there’s a good turnout to hear the Umno number two speak. “This is no ordinary gathering. The stakes are high.”

“It would be an important moment in Muhyiddin’s political struggle and one that will have a bearing on his public image. His speech has the potential to cast a big shadow over the Umno Annual General Assembly.”

The analyst expects the crowd turnout to be between 3,000 and 5,000 – ominously a number that reflects the attendance at the Wanita, Youth and Puteri meets and the annual general assembly – on December 7. “If an even greater number turns up, that would reflect the even greater importance attached to the gathering.”

Former party President and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Umno Vice-President and sacked Federal Minister Shafie Apdal can be expected to attend as well, he added. “In any case, it doesn’t matter so much whether Muhyiddin will be alone on December 7 or whether he will be joined as well by other leaders and veterans.”

“What’s important is the crowd turnout. Again, will 5,000 to 10,000 turn up or even more? This is the question to consider.”

It’s clear, said the analyst, that Muhyiddin has begun fighting back as the party’s number two. “He cannot be simply taking things lying down after having been sacked from the Cabinet and continuing efforts are being made to isolate, neutralize and marginalize him in the party.”

Shahbudin sees no reason for Muhyiddin to look back after December 7 as the people have begun increasingly keeping a distance from Najib. “Muhyiddin has no choice but to take Najib head-on. Enough is enough.”