Will No. 11 bring luck to Najib again?
By Zubaidah Abu Bakar, New Straits Times
Numerology is usually not taken seriously by Muslims but since politics is a numbers game, it is interesting to note that No. 11, which features prominently in the three by-elections, is also the auspicious number for Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The by-elections for Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai will be held on the fourth month of the year and the seventh day in April. Hence, four plus seven makes 11.
Another significant set of numbers is related to the number of candidates vying for the three seats.
There are 15 candidates contesting the state seat of Bukit Selambau, and three for the Bukit Gantang and two for the Batang Ai parliamentary constituencies. Add them up: 1+5+3+2 and they total 11.
Some may say it's sheer coincidence but those who take numerology seriously will think it means a bright future for the incoming prime minister.
They probably will be further convinced when Najib takes over as the sixth prime minister soon, since this year is 2009, and 2+9>11.
Najib's appointment as deputy prime minister on Jan 6, 2004 (6/1/04) is another significant event that is related to No. 11.
Many significant dates and events in Najib's life have been related to No. 11. Coincidentally, his house address in Jalan Langgak Duta, off Taman Duta here is also No. 11.
His late father, former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was born on March 11, 1922 while his mother Tun Rahah Mohd Noah was born on June 11, 1933. He also has a son who was born on May 11.
Najib is a member the Pahang royal household, having been appointed the 11th Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar.
Another political milestone relating to No. 11 was his ability to bounce back high in the 11th general election in 2004 after a narrow win in 1999. He had retained the Pekan parliamentary seat by a convincing 22,992-vote majority as against a mere 241-vote margin in 1999.
Scoring 3-0 in the three by-elections is not going to be a walk in the park and Najib, who has vast experience leading numerous by-elections, is aware well aware of that.
But then he also knows that beating the odds to win all three by-elections is not mission impossible although it is now harder for Barisan Nasional to face the fortified opposition.
Pakatan Rakyat has been campaigning in one voice despite differing political ideologies.
It still remains to be seen if No. 11 will once again find significance in Najib's political career.
