Watch out for something drastic from Dr M
Analyst Shahbudin says the Najib-Mahathir feud has entered a new phase with Mukhriz dragged into the picture.
(Free Malaysia Today) – The dispute between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former premier Mahathir Mohamad has entered a new phase with Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir dragged into the picture, political analyst Shahbudin Husin has observed.
In a blog posting commenting on Bukit Lada Assemblyman Ahmad Lebai Sudin’s attack on Mukhriz, who is Mahathir’s son, Shahbudin says he expects more voices to be raised against the Menteri Besar in the coming days.
“That would be in keeping with Umno culture,” he writes.
In an interview with Suara TV yesterday, Ahmad reminded Mukhriz that he owed his job to Najib and told him to resign if he would not support the Prime Minister.
According to the assemblyman, Mukhriz, in a Kedah Umno meeting yesterday, said he would back Najib only if an investigation by the Auditor-General found that there was no wrongdoing in 1MDB.
“But if the investigation finds otherwise, he will side with the people,” Ahmad was quoted as saying.
Shahbudin says Mukhriz is now placed in a position that may become increasingly difficult as other Umno figures may soon add their voices to Ahmad’s because “there may be something to gain” in showing support for Najib.
It is possible “but not likely” that Mukhriz will resign, he says. It is probable, he adds, that Mahathir will, in defence of his son, do something drastic that nobody expects.
“It is quite inconceivable that Mukhriz will turn his back on his father and publicly declare his support for Najib,” Shahbudin says. “It is more probable that he will take Mahathir’s line and risk being sacked.
“In the event that he willingly resigns to show support for his father, Mahathir’s position against Najib will automatically be strengthened.”
