New efforts must not be” hangat hangat tahi ayam”

Political analyst Shahbudin Husin says the divisional chiefs can no longer be trusted to help save the party and the nation and the burden has fallen on the branch chiefs and these efforts must not fizzle out.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and Malaysia’s problem at the moment was only one, Najib, according to a political analyst. “If we are to find closure, efforts once begun must be stepped up and not degenerate into hangat hangat tahi ayam (there’s a way, but no will).”

Two recent events, said Shahbudin Husin the analyst, have particular significance in bringing the crisis that has befallen the nation to a closure.

Firstly, the decision by 13 Umno branch chiefs in the Teluk Kemang division, Negri Sembilan, to step forward and demand that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak step down. “It appears that the divisional chiefs can no longer be trusted to help save the party and the nation and the burden must henceforth therefore fall, by default, on the branch chiefs.”

Secondly, the decision by Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin to turn up at the Bicara Minda – Berani Kerana Benar (Meeting of Minds – Brave because of the Truth) programme sponsored by Sinar Harian in Johor Baru and, thereby, emerge from his “remain silent” zone. “Muhyiddin was all no holds barred as he expressed his thoughts and worries on Umno, 1MDB, Najib, his position in the party, and the future of the country, among other issues.”

Muhyiddin, he added, has embarked on a new direction after apparently deciding that former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad cannot be left alone to go here and there in his efforts to help set Umno and the nation right. “It cannot be ruled out that the Umno number two is willing to take risks and face the consequences that come with his decision to no longer remain silent.”

The Umno Deputy President, ventured the analyst, can no longer avoid accepting any invitations from any quarter including Umno branches who want to listen to his views and share what they have in common. “This is in line with his call in Johor Baru that no one should be afraid to speak up in upholding the truth.”

The analyst expects Muhyiddin to appear alongside Mahathir at the latter’s programmes throughout the country and “no doubt this follows his realization that his position in the party no longer commands any respect and that Najib, realizing this, was making efforts to sideline him and deny his role.”

The analyst argues that besides Mahathir, Muhyiddin and the 13 Umno branches in Teluk Kemang, others too should come forward to help bring the current crisis which has befallen the nation to a closure.

Revisiting Teluk Kemang, it’s clear what drove the 13 Umno branch chiefs to take a stand: the fear that the voters are ready to punish the party because of Najib. “Thirteen out of 54 branches in Teluk Kemang stating their opposition to Najib, just after he had presented Budget 2016, is a significant response and one which will be emulated by other branch chiefs in the division and state,” said Shahbudin. “The branches have realised what’s the actual situation that faces the nation and which becomes more critical by the day.”

Umno Teluk Kemang, it was noted, was led by Felda Chief Isa Samad who has been numbered among Najib’s strongest supporters. The reading is that Isa has lost his hold on the division and more branches in Teluk Kemang can be expected to register their opposition to Najib and thereby place the Felda Chief in a spot with the party leadership.

Before Teluk Kemang emerged, it was branch chief Syed Saifuddin Syed Harman in the Pandan division who was the first to invite Mahathir last month for a programme and to set the ball rolling.