KUALA LUMPUR - No, the Permatang Pauh 'shocker' Umno minister Zahid Hamidi promised is not a new sex video, although that can still come as the by-election campaign heats up.
According to high-level sources, Zahid's 'shocker' is no less than ex KFC boss Ishak Ismail, also known as the RM100 million man.
"Muhyiddin wants to show he can get the votes in Permatang Pauh, so he has ordered an all-out effort there. If he does and cuts the PKR majority, he will be viewed positively as the most viable replacement for Najib," the source told Malaysia Chronicle, referring to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
But while Ishak? What is his specialty apart from his obvious wealth? And has Ishak really agreed to make the switch into politics from business?
Malaysia Chronicle was unable to contact Ishak for his verification but PKR sources say he is a 'local boy' and may be considering the Umno offer.
"Ishak is well known to be close to Anwar Ibrahim. He is accused of having offered RM100 million to Sabah Members of Parliament to defect after the 2008 general election. So for Ishak to swing back to Umno fold, and to challenge Anwar in his home seat is to show off how influential Muhyiddin is. The DPM can do things the PM can't," said the source.
"For Ishak, I guess if he agrees, it's a way to show he's no longer with Anwar. Whether there's pressure or not, we don't know. But it is a very cruel blow to Anwar as Ishak is one of his friends. The message that Umno wants to send to the people is that no one - not even Anwar's cronies - support him anymore."
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has denied ever sending Ishak to 'buy over' the Sabah MPs, as Foreign Minister Anifah Aman has claimed. Anwar also said that his last contact with Ishak was in 2004 when the latter visited him in Munich.
The High Court has set June 5 for its decision on the defamation suit Anwar filed against Anifah. Meanwhile, the Permatang Pauh by-election will be held on May 7 while nomination is on April 25 and early voting on May 3.
The seat fell vacant after Anwar was controversially jailed by Prime Minister Najib Razak's government for sodomy. Anwar has accused Najib of fabricating to kill off the chances of Opposition in the coming general election.
Power shadow play in Umno - Muhyiddin vs Ku Li
Najib himself is under severe test and faces a challenge from former premier Mahathir Mohamad which many pundits believe will lead to his being replaced as PM.
Talk has been rife that Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh is the running to be interim PM before the baton is passed onto Anwar or another reformist so that Malaysia could finally under much-need structural changes to its political, economic and social system
Obviously, such talk may displease some Umno warlords including Muhyiddin, although he has been careful not to show his ambitions too overtly.
Nonetheless, within Umno circles, there is speculation that Mahathir's best 'lieutenant' Daim Zainuddin prefers Ku Li to Muhyiddin. Hence the need for the rather plodding Muhyddin to show he can buck up.
Another by-election in Rompin, on May 5, will also be closely watched for signs of where the wind is blowing inside Umno. Will it be Dr M or Najib who will triumph? And will it be Ku Li or Muhyiddin who will be the next PM? Malaysia Chronicle
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