ALL EYES ON ROSMAH AS NAJIB SINKS: Umno warlords worry powerful First Lady will bring them down with her

The weekend burst with breaking news from the long awaited lips of the deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin. His no-holds-barred statements made at an important Cheras Umno divisional annual general meeting was so hot that even some party-slave newspapers dared not carry the news. The question we should also be asking then is what would the spouse of the prime minister of Malaysia, Datin Seri Dr. Rosmah’s reaction be should Najib buckle or worse if he is hauled up over the failed 1Malaysia Development Berhad that has already drawn global media attention to the hilt?

Be forewarned spin masters. It is now too late to make any counter claims like, Tan Sri Muhiyuddin was being misquoted by controversial media. This is a well-worn record that does not work in these days of on-line news reporting and especially given the block-buster mega billion dollar allegations in the open.

It is crystal clear that Umno is a house divided between sworn, blind supporters for Najib and those who realize that the seasons are changing and it is best to be seen wearing a coat that is in sync with the general sentiments on the grounds.

The arrow that hit bulls eye was the DPM’s admission that even those within cabinet do not understand what this sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, has messed itself into. He rightly termed the 1MDB as a sovereign debt fund.

The pages are now turning fast towards a high-paced chapter nearing conclusion that will in all likelihood seal the current prime minister’s fate.

Whichever way you may look at the situation or argue, the cannons are all in position with Umno struggling a huge U-turn in an effort to save the party from becoming fragmented in the eyes of the voting public.

As a veteran journalist penned, Lord Acton’s aphorism ‘power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely’, we are indeed at a monumental crossroad that in all likelihood may also unleash a tidal wave of sorts within the Umno turf.

The question of Rosmah’s reaction is no victimization question. It is not even speculative with loads of malice. It is on the contrary, a legitimate question to ask in the safety and best interest of Malaysia’s future because if Umno is dragged down from both sides of the party (pro and anti-Najib forces), the dust will blind the nation for a good period of time. We are talking about a six-decade old political powerhouse here.

Why is the question of what Rosmah would do is a critical?

Let us not forget that she (and as her stewards have claimed too), wields wide influence. The late Statesman Lee Kuan Yew paid her a courtesy call, remember? When our students were in peril in the Middle East, was it not Rosmah who accomplished much a routine task which even the foreign minister failed miserable. And all those red carpet welcomes abroad.

Remember too all the photos carried in a host of media including pro-party vehicles, portraying a power-packed spouse of a prime minister. Even tame and purring government mouthpiece newspapers never failed to show that huge pearl ring or gleaming necklace and branded bags each time they carried news about her feats and public appearances.

And the huge budget allocations for her pet project which non in Cabinet would question. And the many a stories traded about jet-set travels and even a brand new jet refurbished to the tune of millions of ringgit for her 'official' obligations while the country taxes its population with the messy Goods and Service Tax (GST).

And then of course what more given all those nasty talk in public spaces about how powerful the ‘First Lady’ really is. Along with it you also have all those ridiculous allegations of her hand in some gruesome murders which refuse to wilt despite zero evidence and when even the courts have thrown out motive as essential to a verdict.

So, the question that increases in currency for its legitimacy is what would Rosmah do to the warlords within Umno if her husband was brought down or politely removed from the pilot’s seat? Or is it a totally outlandish and ridiculous worry to harbor in our minds? - MAILBAG