PR should fight to keep Najib as PM
Umar Mukhtar
In the history of this country, the next PRU 14 is the best ever chance for the opposition to take over the reins of government at the federal level. The government in power is at its weakest ever. Credit is due to Prime Minister Najib Razak who by default shall hand over control on a silver platter.
Enough has been said about Najib’s poor leadership. But what makes Najib look weak is namely, first, his blur and clueless attitude at most things asked of him. He probably thinks it’s classy to avoid a battle of words. Psychologically, however, it promotes the ostrich syndrome and things sooner or later get swept under the carpet.
Second, his love for adulation, which is mostly misplaced in his case. So he is vulnerable to sycophants who use praises as tools of trade. Anybody who can stage an adulation event is his favorite. Hence the public relations guys have a field day. Jho Low can hire international stars at exorbitant costs to feed the family’s ego at parties where the couple are hosts abroad.
Third, he loves the glamorous stuff. From singing duets with Hollywood stars to pomp and pageantry of new money. Of course a display of this habit at home is dangerous. So he goes abroad for these. He is probably the most widely travelled of our prime minsters. On the country’s account, of course. A spanking new wide-bodied government jet helps.
Fourth, when it comes to work, he wants it sounding sophisticated disregarding whether it is suitable for the Malaysian psyche. The consultants make a pile from high-tech presentations and power-point presentations are the order of the day. 1Malaysia is so hollow lacking substance, compared to the grand objectives formulated by the consultants.
‘I love PM’ T-shirts and singing the IM4U song in his presence are ecstatic for him. Malaysians are of the sedate nature that they don’t even say “I miss you” to casual friends like his consultants do in their home society. What a misfit! ‘I love PM’ is not even in the national language but paraded by rural folks! A Bahasa Malaysia translation is squeamish!
The two significant effects of the above are that he begins to believe the lies of his brilliance and popularity. And second, all of the above cost money. Lucky that, according to his public relations people, he inherited quite a fortune, unlike his brothers. However, these two things tend to lead to decadence, at the expense of governance and affinity to the people who put him there.
It is a bonus for adversaries if the other side are led by powder-puff leaders like Najib. They are fun to lampoon, they are not formidable, and they do stupid things. Criticise up to a point though. When the likelihood of him being ousted becomes obvious, stop. Surely we cannot be sure his replacement will be worse than him. He might be a Malaysian, second.
Let Najib stay on. He reinforces the people’s impression of a lame government. He is just what the opposition needs come PRU14.
