VIDEO INSERTED KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim dismissed this weekend's Umno election as a non-event, explaining that it did not matter who the winning candidates were as the ruling party could be expected to continue with the same policies that have been frequently criticized as being corrupt, racist and reeking of rent-seeking.
When asked his views on how the 6-corner fight for the 3 Umno vice-presidencies could turn out, Anwar declined to speculate.
When asked if the decision by Kedah Chief Minister Mukhriz Mahathir to contest for one of the VP posts showed that Umno members still felt beholden to former premier Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar said Mukhriz had the right to join the race and it was up to Umno members whom they chose to lead them.
"He has his own campaign manager - his dad (Mahathir Mohamad who is Anwar's bitter critic)," the Opposition chief told reporters in a recent press conference.
'Pakatan will be stronger'
Anwar, a former Umo deputy president, had been asked to rate Mukhriz's chances of winning.
"It is purely an Umno matter. At the end of the day, it is not going to alter the policy issues or general position of Umno in terms of what governance is all about, combating corruption, the new Malaysia that we are all talking about, the new Malaysian economic agenda - that is of interest to me.
"If we have candidates coming to say we need good governance, we need to embrace all Malaysians and bring them up whilst showing enough concern and care to the Malays and bumis and the marginalized, we will have to move on and craft an economic agenda that can be seen to be more competitive and propel the economy upwards - that's what want to hear in this country. The issue of governance, combating corruption and not using family funds and cronies to help you in the campaign to enrich yourselves."
When asked if he expected Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is the Umnp president, to emerge stronger or weaker after the Umno 2013 poll, Anwar quipped, "I know Pakatan will be stronger."
Final countdown
The 49-year-old Mukhriz has attracted attention because he is seen as his father's proxy in Umno. Many fear a return to Mahathir's dogmatic and authoritarian rule should Mukhriz win.
Hence, the VP race has become a 'purely' Umno event, with the majority of Malaysians including many Umno members concurring with Anwar that it would not change gloomy prospects the country was facing nor bring critically-needed new direction.
In this weekend's grand finale, some 146,000 Umno members are due to vote for a new central leadership. Up for grabs are the 25 seats in the supreme council, which is Umno top decision-making body, as well as the 3 vice presidencies.
Najib and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin have already been returned to their posts unchallenged.
Shahrizat Jalil, the corruption-tainted Women's chief, was re-elected as the Wanita president, while Khairy Jamaluddin was also returned as the Youth chief.
Umno insiders say that in exchange for Najib supporting their re-elections, Shahrizat and Khairy are expected to throw their wing's support behind Hishammuddin Hussein, who is Najib's cousin and the Defense Minister.
Hisham, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal are the 3 incumbent vice presidents who will be defending the positions.
They are being challenged by Mukhriz, former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam and former Negri Sembilan chief minister Isa Samad.
Moving heaven and earth
The VP contest has take center stage in the 2013 Umno election partly because Najib and Muhyiddin have already secured their seats, while the Wanita and Youth election was held last weekend.
"Khairy and Shahrizat are the transformers who will push Najib's agenda. Because of their strong victories last week, Hisham should be able to pull through. The transformation is at the supreme council and division level. At least 60% new faces in he supreme council is expected and 70% for the divisions," a Umno watcher told Malaysua Chronicle, adding that he expects the 3 incumbent VPs to be re-elected.
However, many in Umno still believe there will be a close fight and are putting their money on Mukhriz to score an upset.
"We think Mahathir will move heaven and earth to get Mukhriz in. As for Najib, he too will do all he can to secure Hisham. Zahid is already too strong, so who is the one who will be sacrificed? It looks like Shafie but it is still too soon to tell. Mahathir may not be able to swing it through for Mukhriz. The same goes for Najib for Hisham. If Mahathir succeeds then Shafie will be sacrificed for Hisham because Najib wants Hisham and Shafie is 100% obedient to Najib. But if Najib succeeds in getting enough support for Hisham, then Shafie will remain and incumbent trio will be intact. Mukhriz, Ali and Isa will have to balik kampung (go home empty handed)," an Umno veteran told Malaysia Chronicle.
"This is why the last 24 hours are so exciting. Last minute surveys of the ground sentiment are still being done by their personal aides and horse trading is now at its fiercest. So don't be surprised if suddenly, there is a change in voting sentiment among the various divisions, blocs and camps. Even the candidates themselves might ask their own supporters to vote for a rival when the price is right."
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