Najib gets core but not dream team, crackdowns to intensify
But on shaky ground now is Najib. Not only his party, but the entire nation, is rating him based on whether he can get his men through to form his dream team to govern the country.
By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan
Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin – the president’s man – won the coveted No 2 post in Umno, salvaging some face for his newly-confirmed boss Najib Razak, whose prestige took a wallop after members voted in candidates aligned to his predecessor in two other key positions.
Najib was formalised as president of Umno earlier today. He succeeded outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who agreed not to seek re-election after an internal rebellion last year that purportedly was hatched by Najib and his mentor Mahathir Mohamad. Muhyiddin had played a key role in Abdullah’s ouster.
But on shaky ground now is Najib. Not only his party, but the entire nation, is rating him based on whether he can get his men through to form his dream team to govern the country. As Umno is the ruling party, those who win key posts this week can expect to be included in the cabinet once Najib takes over as prime minister early next month.
However, it is clear that despite Muhyiddin’s win, Najib has not won the hearts and minds of Umno members. On the contrary, his popularity has waned, due in no small part to last week’s ruthless purge against leaders close to Abdullah and a recent string of crackdowns against dissent.
Muhyiddin beat Muhammad Muhammad Taib, the Rural Development Minister close to Abdullah, polling 1,575 votes against the latter’s 916.
In the race for the three vice-presidencies, Zahid Hamidi secured 1,592 votes, Hishammuddin Hussien obtained 1,515 and Shafie Apdal 1,445 to win. All three were backed by Najib.
However, Khairy Jamaluddin – Abdullah’s son-in-law – defied the odds to clinch the Youth chief post a day ago. He defeated two other challengers including Mukhriz, Mahathir’s youngest son and the hot favourite to win. At the same time, Shahrizat Jalil won the Women’s chief post, ousting long-time Mahathir ally Rafidah Aziz.
Their shock victories will temper Najib’s control over the party. Although his core team is in place, two key wings are now with the Abdullah camp.
“The damage to Najib has already been done. This is a clear sign that there will be multiple centers of power that will be undermining Najib from within which makes his challenge of trying to govern the country in the midst of a serious global economic slowdown even more daunting,” said political analyst Ong Kian Ming.
A return to authoritarian repression
More desperate moves can now be expected from Najib and Mahathir, as they rush to tighten their grip in both the party and the country. The stakes have been raised and opposition politicians are already bracing for a crackdown, including the arrest of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
“Khairy’s win will take away some of the humiliation that Abdullah was subjected to in the past weeks. There is still some support for him in Umno,” said KeADILan information chief Tian Chua. “But we should not be too naive about it and Pak Lah should not feel too secure. His enemies can any time hang Khairy with formal charges of corruption.”
“There is widespread expectation that Anwar will be arrested very soon. There will some trumped-up charge or other, but the real intention is to secure some breathing space for Najib to stamp his authority on the country,” said a political analyst.
Even Abdullah acknowledged the increasingly oppressive regime pursued by Najib and his advisers. Since agreeing to the power transfer last October, he has left most of the day-to-day governance of the country to Najib.
“Sadly, there are those who feel that we do not need to pursue reforms,” Abdullah said in his final presidential address. “They believe that Umno will regain its glory if we revert to the old ways – the old order, by restricting the freedom of our citizens and by silencing their criticism. If we revert to the old path I believe we are choosing the wrong path; one that will take us to regression and decay. It is a path that I fear will hasten our demise.”
The stigma of corruption
Meanwhile, critics of the flamboyant Khairy have slammed his election as a further sign that Umno was insincere about ridding itself of corruption.
“The stigma is there. No matter that he and Ali Rustam were singled out. It is still money politics, it is still corruption and there should be no excuse not to bring in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. If they are innocent, they should be cleared. If they are guilty, they should be charged,” said Tian.
In last week’s purge, the 33-year old MP for Rembau was accused of vote buying and issued a warning letter. Popular vice-president Mohd Ali Rustam – the front-runner in the race for the deputy presidency – was disqualified from contesting on similar grounds.
Outraged Umno grassroots raised a hue and cry, putting Najib and Mahathir on the defensive. Political watchers predicted a swathe of sympathy votes would swing to the Abdullah camp in protest of the aggressive move. Part of that prediction came true, with Khairy and Shahrizat breaking through, although Muhammad Muhammad Taib faltered.
Said Kian Ming: “Khairy will no doubt play the role of the loyal Youth chief but he will remember what Najib tried to do to him. And when the time comes when Najib’s back is against the wall for Khairy to support Najib, then the daggers will be unsheathed, presumably, not only by Khairy but also by others, including Mohd Ali.”
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The newly-elected members of the Umno supreme council are:
1. Datuk Mustapa Mohamed (2,259 votes),
2. Datuk Noh Omar (2,084),
3. Datuk Seri Musa Aman (2,084),
4. Datuk Azian Osman (2,060),
5. Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman (2,054),
6. Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed ( 1,854),
7. Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (1,838),
8. Datuk Lajim Ukin (1,804),
9. Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor (1,705),
10. Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (1,700),
11. Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (1,685),
12. Datuk Idris Haron (1,658),
13. Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (1,624),
14. Datuk Seri Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis (1,622),
15. Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (1,619),
16. Datuk Dr Norraesah Mohamad (1,611),
17. Datuk Seri Mahadzir Khalid (1,580),
18. Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohd Hanadzlah (1,529),
19. Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin (1,518),
20. Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (1,517),
21. Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin (1,481),
22. Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique (1,431),
23. Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (1,377)
24. Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (1,275),
25. Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (1,265),
