NAJIB FACES GREATEST CHALLENGE SINCE TAKING OFFICE

Soong Phui Jee, Sin Chew Daily

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has severely criticised current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently but Najib is still in power and almost all in Umno have expressed their support for Najib. However, when Dr Mahathir lamented that he was alone, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made a sudden assurance in his speech at the forum “Engaging the young to criminalise war and energise peace”, telling Dr Mahathir that “You are not alone in telling the truth.” The words shocked the country, while setting off another storm in the troubled politics of Malaysia.

Muhyiddin said that telling the truth and going against superpowers have always been Dr Mahathir’s trademark, and with a smile, Dr Mahathir claimed that Muhyiddin was referring to his stance on war. However, those who are sensitive can more or less feel that Muhyiddin seemed to have euphemistically expressed his support for Dr Mahathir through praising the former Prime Minister’s anti-war stance.

Which side would Muhyiddin take? What is Muhyiddin’s stance on the series of accusations from Dr Mahathir against Najib, particularly over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue? These are questions mostly concerned by the people.

After Najib issued a directive to the Auditor-General to independently verify the 1MDB accounts for the scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Muhyiddin suggested that PAC start their own probe into the 1MDB without waiting for the auditor-general’s report. His remarks were interpreted by many people as “going against Najib”.

The absence of 31 Umno division chiefs, Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir’s son and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir from the division meeting meant to express support for Najib on March 7 had also sparked all kinds of rumours.

Speculations and rumours were killed when Muhyiddin urged Dr Mahathir 10 days ago to give Najib’s government a chance to do its work in its own way for the people.

However, Muhyiddin’s stance seems to have resumed “ambiguous” after his “you are not alone” remarks.

In any case, the fact is, the internal struggle of Umno has gradually surfaced, intensified and complicated, because of Dr Mahathir’s incitement. And the real fun has just begun.

On the surface, it seems that almost all states have expressed their support for Najib and BN component parties have also made it clear that they are standing by his side. Najib’s status seems entrenched, but the impacts brought by one after another wave of attack from Dr Mahathir should not be underestimated. Najib should learn a lesson from how Tun Abdullah Badawi, who was also supported by Cabinet ministers, BN and Umno leaders, was forced to resign. He must be watchful whether the situation is actually as described by Dr Mahathir, that he has been misled into thinking he still has public support, and many people who have openly supported him have actually privately backed calls for him to resign.

The current situation in the country is not much favourable for Najib. Price hikes following the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) have led to public discontent; the hudud law controversy raised by PAS has not yet been resolved; and the passing of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill and amendments to the Sedition Act have also triggered doubts. If any of the issues is not properly handled, it could worsen the situation and harm Najib’s leadership.

There is Dr Mahathir in the party trying to pull him down from his position, while Pakatan Rakyat is vigorously fighting for regime change outside the party. Najib is now in a dilemma, facing the greatest test and challenge since becoming the Prime Minister.