Falling From Grace
By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily
He is just one step away from being the second most powerful man in the country. But the party discipline has blocked his way forward.
He cannot cross this hurdle, and the dream of UMNO deputy president and DPM is rudely crushed.
Seeing him build up his tower, seeing him play host to guests, and seeing his tower come tumbling down…
To Mohd Ali Rustam, everything seems to have come too spontaneously, but has also vanished too abruptly.
He wasn't anyone's favourite at the beginning of the race for UMNO's deputy presidency. Muhyiddin received 91 nominations and he bagged only 47.
His chances did not look too promising. That said, Mohd Ali Rustam has knitted a formidable interpersonal relation network within the party, and once the election campaign is gets going, that would become an inexhaustible resource for him.
He is that kind of typical kampung leader who knows inside out what the grassroots want. He is an expert in forging relationships and is always present at all sorts of civil occasions.
He has been a leader of several youth organisations, which have close relationship with UMNO, and whose members are also UMNO members.
And these are the people who will constitute the backbone of his future political development.
In the party, he plays the role of a conservative, and always champions Malay privileges and the status of Islam, and has therefore won the favour of the conservative camp within the party.
He has been seen as a member of Pak Lah's faction. When party leaders applied pressure upon the PM late last year, he instantly showed his compassion.
And that puts him in the favour and trust of Pak Lah's people, who have lent him tremendous support when he runs for deputy presidency. Of course, they are also hoping to check Muhyiddin's advances with the support.
Nevertheless, he is also well aware of the irresistible power of Najib, and has inclined to lean towards the PM-in-waiting.
Mohd Ali is someone who knows how to please people in UMNO, but outside the party, his acceptance is apparently below par.
His capability, knowledge, qualifications, even English proficiency, have come under query and criticism. In non-Malay communities, his talks and style have made many feel uncomfortable. Both MCA and Gerakan have seen him as a potential trouble-maker.
As such, little wonder that many are worried he would eventually get elected.
While such an eventuality may stir up a storm within the party, it is nevertheless a natural development, if we would look at things from a broader perspective.
Anyway, this is not a job that he will be able to handle well, nor deserve.
