Shahbudin: Umno meet this Friday may be Muhyiddin’s last

If Muhyiddin can be ousted as Deputy Prime Minister , he could be removed from Umno for the same reason and his "redundancy".

KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Supreme Council, said a political analyst, may remove Muhyiddin Yassin as party Deputy President this Friday at its meet for his statement last Sunday during an-hour closing speech at the Umno Cheras division’s annual general meeting. If he’s not removed this Friday, he added, he will surely be removed by the Umno Supreme Council at a future meet if he repeats any statement like that delivered in Cheras and provokes it into taking action against him on “disciplinary” grounds.

It’s being argued, said Shahbudin Husin, that after Muhyiddin’s speech in Cheras last Sunday, Prime Minister and Umno President Najib Abdul Razak had no choice but to act against his deputy. “He cannot be allowed to do what he likes, the argument goes, criticizing Najib for the manner in which he manages the government and the party.”

“Najib did say that he’s open to differences of opinion in his Administration and criticisms but this must be kept in perspective. He also said, citing the principle of collective responsibility, that there must be no criticism of the government and the party in open forums.”

In short, Muhyiddin’s attendance at the Umno Supreme Council this Friday would not only be his first without the Deputy Prime Minister’s post, it may also well turn out to be his last. “Since Muhyiddin was no longer in the government, Najib may not need him or feel comfortable with him as his number two in the party, although he was elected.”

“If Muhyiddin escapes this Friday, he will be risking his future in Umno if he’s seen together with former Prime Minister and former Umno President Mahathir Mohamad in any programme, including on 1MDB, or issues a statement on the scandal-ridden company.”

Setting aside Cheras, argued Shahbudin, Muhyiddin can only remain safe until 2018 if he reins in his feelings and takes a “vow of silence” and, again, keeps a distance from Mahathir for obvious reasons. “In that case, he will be reduced to appearing in public only once a month to attend the Umno Supreme Council meeting and once a year for the party’s annual meet.”

“But is he willing to subject himself to this routine and discipline to remain safe in Umno until 2018 when party elections are due?”

The question now is whether Muhyiddin’s fate will be put to the test this Friday, said Shahbudin. “If there’s any resolution put forward in the Umno Supreme Council on Muhyiddin, including on his position as party member and Deputy President, it will surely be passed with a comfortable majority.”

“The ‘mood’ in the Supreme Council was more in favour of Najib in the wake of Muhyiddin’s sacking as Deputy Prime Minister on Tuesday.”

Already, said Shahbudin, Muhyiddin’s speech in Cheras was being studied by certain quarters in Umno to determine the possibility that he may have infringed party discipline.

“If Muhyiddin’s speech in Cheras could be used as the basis to sack him as Deputy Prime Minister, it could also be the very basis to remove him as Umno Deputy President,” said the analyst on a dismal note.

“Muhyiddin stands accused of bringing the party into disrepute at an open forum and also dragging the good name of the party president through the mud.”

Again, the removal of Muhyiddin from Umno as a member, said Shahbudin, will automatically see him losing the post of Deputy President.