ALL EYES ON MUHYIDDIN: Will any of Malaysia's self-serving Cabinet have the guts to pick up Najib's dare to QUIT

It has a religious-like following and devotees around the globe are waiting with bated breath for the latest installment of Star Wars Episode VII - 'The Force Awakens', which is slated to hit cinemas in December.

However, Malaysians are currently being treated to a mini episode, which can be dubbed as 'The Empire Cracks'.

The plot revolves around a power struggle (as it always does) in what many perceive to be the 'dark side' between Darth Sidious and his disciple Darth Vader.

Vader, played by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, appears to have learned well from his Sith master, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Some believe that Najib has even outshone his mentor.

Perhaps, he regrets having dismantled the Internal Security Act, a powerful tool often invoked to maintain order in the empire.

It has now been revealed that Najib had issued an ultimatum to his cabinet members, who have been voicing their discontent about the 1MDB saga.

Drawing inspiration from Mahathir's favourite tune, Frank Sinatra's I Did It My Way, the prime minister told his ministers that it is either his way or the highway for them.

His ministers have remained silent. None have the gumption to quit.

And this includes Muhyiddin Yassin who courageously proclaimed before a crowd of Umno members that the 1MDB directors must be expelled and investigated as well as Shafie Apdal, who has been critical of the firm.

Ministers lack backbone

Since news of the ultimatum - delivered during Last Friday’s cabinet meeting - appeared in the Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia, it suggests that the powers-that-be gave the green light for it to be published.

Perhaps Najib wanted those in Umno to know that these ministers lack a backbone.

Imagine Malaysian ministers resigning in protest, discarding the perks and benefits that come with the post in the name of principles, good governance and accountability?

Such a scene would even stretch the limits of George Lucas' faculties of imagination.

But what is evident is that there are cracks between Najib and some of his ministers, who are attempting to distance themselves from the 1MDB issue fearing the growing calls of collective blame.

The fact is the prime minister's baggage, both professional and personal, contributed to the dismal performance of the ruling coalition in the last general election.

Questions that still linger regarding the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu and his family's lavish lifestyle and expenditure continue to draw attention and criticism.

Najib, on the other hand, has repeatedly stressed that he would not be arm- twisted into vacating his post like his predecessor.

On the contrary, he has resorted to launching counterstrikes at Mahathir, where certain quarters are now zooming in on the financial quagmires during the latter’s tenure of more than two decades.

The danger for Umno is that the more dirt that is dug in the open, the more support it would lose amongst its traditional voters, who are already vexed over the Tabung Haji-1MDB land deal.

So is Najib poised to bring all in Umno down with him?

This is what is giving Mahathir and the rest in Umno sleepless nights. - M'kini