Barisan parties close ranks behind Najib but Umno silent

As expected, the BN components quickly rallied behind Prime Minister Najib Razak amidst the fusillade of attacks by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad but the ominous silence of traditional Umno support structure and the death of two key aides may yet rankle the PM.

Hazlan Zakaria, The Ant Daily

Observers have pointed out that Najib may be more difficult for Mahathir to dislodge from power unlike former PM Abdullah Badawi, though as things stand of late the PM may not be as secure as he needs to be.

“The people – be it the Malays, Chinese, Indians and the other ethnic groups from Sabah and Sarawak – don’t trust Najib,” said Mahathir.

Some of the first to deposit their ‘arms’, or in political terms statements, in defence of Najib were BN components from the ‘safe deposit’ states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Sarawak minister William Mawan Ikom has labeled Mahathir’s attacks against Najib as the former premier’s favourite pastime, urging the caustic veteran Umno man to not play the prophet of doom.

“I have a lot of respect for him. But let us not be a prophet of doom. Everybody will suffer the consequences,” he reportedly said.

Meanwhile, fellow state minister Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)president James Masing disagreed with Mahathir that BN would lose in the coming general election.

“I am confident that BN with Najib as prime minister will continue to administer Malaysia after the next general election scheduled for 2018.”

Though he noted that while he believed that BN would win in any case, it would be better if the current rift in Umno did not exist.

Sabah Umno info chief Mohd Salleh Said Keruak also threw his hat into the ring, taking a hit at Mahathir for his attacks on sovereign fund 1MDB, deflecting allegations that government investment arm is loss making.

He argued that 1MDB was still new and cannot be compared to established sovereign funds like Singapore’s highly successful Temasek Group.

After the ‘safe deposit’ states, the obligatory support came from the token racial parties which rounded up the ruling coalition in representation if nothing else.

MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon accused Mahathir of going overboard with his criticisms of Najib.

“Well, that’s too much,” Chong reportedly said, asking Mahathir to give Najib a chance as he is trying very hard.

Though in what is seen as typical MCA fashion, Chong set himself a safety nest qualifying that he believed Mahathir’s remarks were to pave the way for a better Malaysia and not necessarily to denounce Najib.

MCA Youth secretary Quek Tai Seong, however, was more direct, reportedly labeling Mahathir as “more opposition than the opposition” and asking the former PM to just run in Permatang Pauh on the federal opposition ticket.

MIC Youth leader C Sivarraajh urged all not to give credence to what Mahathir says, labeling the attacks by the former PM as the “rant by an old man, who loves the country and out of power for almost a decade”.

But any support from MCA and MIC, however, were perhaps just symbolic considering they have no real pull with the races they claim to represent and hold precious few seats and only the modicum of influence within BN itself.

For in the ruling coalition the real power is wielded by Umno itself with major decisions decided in Umno supreme council meets thanthat of the BN equivalent.

And so as noted by observers, it is eerie when traditional Umno grapevines, usually vocal proponents and influenced media, seem silent about the attack from Mahathir and are not jumping all over the former premier for daring to attack their president.

As noted by observers, in previous attacks against Najib there will concerted effort from party loyalist to defend him.

In particular pro-Umno portals like Umno Online and MYKMU.net as well as firebrand grassroots leaders and jumping jacks former opposition politicians who jumped into the BN.

But this time there is no concerted effort with only token appearances by the likes of former minister Puad Zarkashi and even challenging jibes from well-known divergent Youth Wing leader Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy or KJ as he is commonly known actually had the cheek to ask the press-shy and question-averse Najib not to ignore Mahathir’s questions, hinting perhaps for the premier to meet his predecessor’s attack head on.

Though as a man seen as being ambitious himself, KJ is perhaps pouring more oil into the fire, hoping that any casualties from the Umno infighting would perhaps open the doors of opportunity for him to move up the ladder of power.

But other than that, indeed it would seem that Mahathir is off-limits from reproach by the Umno party apparatus.

Even police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has absolved Mahathir of any possible sedition, despite his earlier warning that he will come down hard on those who continue to harp on perceived irregularities in the Altantuyaa Shaariibuu murder trial, especially on the sensitive issue of motive which the former PM more or less touched on.

Even Umno-linked newspapers like the New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia have been noted to only highlight those defending Najib against Mahathir but shy from mentioning Mahathir’s name and his vitriol.

Thus while Najib may be seen to be more entrenched on the PM seat compared to Abdullah and seems to have been given the mandate and support by the BN components, things may not be as hunky dory within the Umno proper itself where things really matter.

Though the backbenchers have at last spoken out in Najib’s defence calling Mahathir’s attack as personal in nature, it is perhaps slightly late in the game and perhaps no substitute for party front runners.

Indeed what may also hit too close to home for Najib is the recent deaths of his key advisor, the late Rompin MP and special envoy to the US Jamaluddin Jarjis as well as the PM’s private secretary-general  Azlin Alias.

Both were killed in the recent helicopter crash which also took the lives of four others. They were on their way back from the wedding reception of Najib’s daughter in Pekan when the tragedy happened.

With a close aide and a valued advisor suddenly lost to tragedy, it may impact Najib’s strategic planning and crisis handling. Which may cause slight difficulty for him to manoeuvre the Mahathir impasse. Though he could also play the sympathy card and gain at least some more support.

Whatever the case, while BN components may rally to him, the uncertain ground in Umno and the tragic sudden vacancies in his office may see Najib floundering if not actually compromised in his showdown with the good doctor.