Challenge Najib
Zaid Ibrahim
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement in Pagoh has caused widespread criticism. He said that a repeat of the May 13 incident, where many innocent lives were lost, could not be ruled out if the Constitution, the Malays and Islam continued to be questioned or insulted by certain quarters.
He lamented that “every night before I sleep, I think about how to manage the country. Someone sent me a message asking me what will happen to the Malays, and why Islam is being insulted, and other issues…”
Some of his Ministers and allies tried to smoothen the ripples by suggesting that it was just a gentle reminder to a country currently embroiled in racial and religious tensions, and that there was nothing wrong with the remark.
The people are not as stupid as these Ministers think, for we know the difference between a veiled threat and friendly advice from a senior national leader.
If the DPM has sleepless nights, I do not think it’s because of a text message from a member of the public about the Malays and Islam. Chances are, he’s having problems sleeping because Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak is getting stronger by the day—at least that’s how it looks from where I am sitting—and the Deputy is feeling frustrated that his chances of becoming PM are being thwarted bit by bit.
His erstwhile allies in UMNO seem to be unbelievably quiet and the PM has been able to deal with these groups well. As you know, our PM is adept at taking care of those within the party who have grouses.
I think the DPM is frustrated because, on one hand, he is bound by Cabinet decisions and, on the other, he disagrees with them in some fundamental way. Let me illustrate:
When the Cabinet allowed Christians to import the Malay Bible—Al Kitab—from Indonesia way back in the late 1980s, the Cabinet was already aware that the word “Allah” was used in the Bible.
Throughout the 1990s, the practice of closing one eye to the use of the word “Allah” was routine. The 10-point plan to resolve the issue meant that the Cabinet had agreed on its use.
The Courts have also decided on the Allah issue. In other words, the Christian issue is somewhat settled. Why then must the DPM keep talking about it unless he disagrees with Najib on the whole handling of the Allah issue?
About the Malays: the DPM surely knows that with UMNO’s role as guardian and protector, it’s impossible for the Malays to be anything but glorious and powerful. To suggest otherwise is to imply that UMNO has failed, which is a serious accusation against your own party.
Perhaps what the DPM really wanted to say was that, under Najib, only some Malays have been given protection but not the rest, and thus the policies of the PM will not be good for the Malays and the country in the long term.
I am disappointed that the DPM has had to resort to the May 13 incident to make his point about Najib’s weaknesses and failures.
There is nothing to be proud of in May 13, and certainly nothing that warrants reminding people about constantly. The solution is simple: the DPM must announce his intention to challenge the PM for the presidency of UMNO.
A leadership challenge in UMNO is long overdue. Najib has not really been tested within UMNO, and the DPM may have a good chance of unseating him.
Whatever will be said during the campaign will not cause consternation and fear amongst those of us outside UMNO. We can put all those political speeches in context. We know the target of those speeches is Najib, and vice-versa. There is no need to use issues that can tear the nation apart when what is needed is a simple leadership contest.
