Since the first prime minister was installed to helm Malaysia, Umno-BN has nominated the Umno president as the prime minister.
We can safely say that in doing so, Umno has been emulating worldwide political traditions. Any political leader who is in the driving seat of any political party or coalition would be expected to be appointed as a prime minister, post the general election.
Hence, it would be absurd if Umno tries to break from such an embedded tradition. It goes without saying that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would feel embarrassed if such an unprecedented move took place post the 15th general election (GE15).
Would Zahid be ready to let that happen? I am of the considered view that it would be highly unlikely.
Let us start with the basics, by stating these few undisputed facts.
Who really pressured the government then to dissolve the Parliament and in turn, hold GE15 ? Yes, it was Zahid who made the call despite the fact it was Ismail Sabri Yaakob who helmed the government!
Who ran the show in nominating “all the president's men" as Umno’s candidates for this polls?
And who, in turn, brazenly sidelined the "president's enemies" in the party from becoming candidates? Yes, Zahid did all those things.
He manufactured and executed the plan. Like him or not, Zahid has been a smooth operator par excellence!
In executing his strategy, Zahid was successful in driving home this message to his rivals - "look guys, who is in charge here?".
Being endowed with vast presidential powers, Zahid managed to completely annihilate political non-conformists in Umno.
Who is currently facing a plethora of criminal indictments in court involving Yayasan Akal Budi and being called for defence - a shortcut to a possible conviction? Again, it is Zahid.
Given such a scenario, it would be naive for us to believe that Zahid does not care in ensuring that Umno would stick to its long tradition by appointing its president as its future prime minister.
There is too much on Zahid's plate for him to simply ignore any impediment which may deter him from protecting his interests at all costs.
Let us take the worst-case scenario for Zahid, namely Umno sticks to its plan by appointing Ismail Sabri as the next prime minister.
Do you really think Zahid would be ready to accept such a painful decision without strings attached?
It goes without saying that being subordinate to Zahid in the party's rank, Ismail Sabri badly needs the former’s blessings in order to become the prime minister.
Safeguarding interests
Be that as it may, it would be absurd for Zahid to simply give Ismail Sabri the nod, until and unless his interests are safeguarded.
In such a scenario, Ismail Sabri would be nothing but a puppet prime minister.
All in all, regardless of who gets nominated as the prime minister- either Zahid or Ismail Sabri- it would be disastrous for Malaysia. - Mkini
MOHAMED HANIPA MAIDIN is the former Sepang MP and is currently an Amanah central committee member.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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