Toyad back in Sarawak CM race?

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Jun 11, 2013

(FMT) – The GE13 outcome, Najib Tun Razak’s fragile cabinet and a fragmented federal government has given Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud the upper hand.

The outcome of the 13th GE though, in reality, unfavourable to Umno and the other West Malaysian Barisan Nasional component parties – MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP – was however a plus for Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

The results gave PBB top man and Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, the leeway to push for his agenda at federal and state levels.

The second tsunami has changed Umno’s game plan in his favour. It has given Taib an opportunity to pass on the reins of political power to a family member from within his own small Melanau community .

Taib has been under pressure from Prime Minister Najib Tun-Razak and federal Umno to step down and name a Umno-friendly successor.

But the May 5 general election, turned the tables on Najib who had expected to sweep through in Peninsular Malaysia. In the end, Najib had to depend on Sarawak and Sabah’s 47 parliamentary seats to form the federal government.

Hence whilst Umno-BN is realigning its game plan to protect its own interests, Taib is doing likewise.

Najib’s fragile cabinet and fragmented federal government has offered a big break for Taib to demand for more cabinet posts for PBB , thereby blocking opportunities for the Dayak parties from Sarawak to have more political say at the federal level.

Alongside this, Umno is also struggling against the pressure mounted by Pakatan and the people in respect to the validity of the GE results.

Taking advantage of the new political development, Taib has set in motion his own political agenda.