Written by Wong Choon Mei, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - Umno president Zahid Hamidi's denial that he would resign as deputy prime minister is unlikely to bring much calm to a panicked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition, especially his own PKR party which has been accused of punching all the wrong buttons and bringing on its own downfall.
Instead, all eyes are now on when and how soon - rather than if - a much-anticipated move from PN, the main opposition bloc, to oust the ineffective Anwar and his 'Madani' government will be made.
The two main parties in PN are Bersatu and Pas and already a Bersatu leader Mohd Redzuan has claimed that more than 10 government MPs want to "switch sides" - while one of the 17 parties in Anwar's unity government is set to pull out and back PN.
"That party is likely to be Umno, hence the focus on Zahid. Bets are on he will betray Anwar or he will use his health as an excuse to step down and make way for those who prefer to align with Bersatu and Pas," an analyst told Politics Now!
"Umno is still bleeding Malay support so it's not surprising if its MPs decide to switch sides or risk become sitting ducks at the next general election. I am sure Zahid is very aware of this. The pressure on him must be tremendous."
CUNNING RUSE TO TRICK ANWAR & A MESSAGE FROM KEMAMAN
Indeed, the trigger for Anwar and Pakatan's panic was Saturday's Kemaman by-election, which saw Pas chief minister for Terengganu Samsuri Mokhtar coast to a massive landslide victory - exposing to the nation how little Malay support Anwar actually enjoys despite a recent high-profile power game that saw his administration swing over the support from five Bersatu MPs.
A credible PM-in-waiting candidate, Samsuri's election to the federal Parliament is also seen as the final piece in the PN power grab jigsaw against Anwar. Some see Samsuri going for the DPM's post first, with the more experienced Muhyiddin retaking the PM's chair.
According to Malay daily Sinar Harian, PN insiders believe at least eight more Bersatu MPs from Perak and Kedah will declare support for Anwar in exchange for federal funding - but PN bigwigs Muhyiddin Yassin and Hadi Awang don't seem as panicked as Anwar and Pakatan.
"Many are starting to see it as a very cunning ruse to get money from Anwar without having to formally sign any MoU or formal agreement not to depose him until the next election. This way, the so-called rogue MPs or Trojan horses can dump Anwar anytime since they have not resigned from Bersatu. Of course, they will if their prospects are better with PN. Who wants to stay on a sinking ship?" said the analyst.
Even Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has acknowledged Umno was far from winning back the affection of Malay voters, in particular the crucial support of young Malays, while former two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has predicted Umno's destruction in the next general election which must be held the latest by 2027.
"Something must be done immediately because the young generation has the potential to be won over for us to gain their support, but the methods must be appropriate to their image, aspirations, and life needs," Mohamad Hasan said in a statement in response to the Kemaman polls result.
"Like it or not, this is the truth. This is Kemaman's message," said Mahathir.
BETRAYAL IN THE AIR - WILL ZAHID BACKSTAB ANWAR & PAKATAN OR USE ILL-HEALTH AS EXCUSE TO QUIT
Meanwhile Zahid took a jab at his rivals even as he confirmed going for "prostate surgery" last month but did not directly address rumors that he was suffering from Stage 4 prostate cancer.
If he does quit as widely expected, top favorites to succeed him as Umno president include former prime minister Ismail Sabri or former senior minister Hishammuddin Hussein - both of whom are pro-PN.
“I didn’t know I was going to do that (resign) but I did have prostate surgery recently,” Zahid was quoted as saying at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
“I am healthy because of everyone's prayers, including the people who prayed for me to do things I never thought of."
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Politics Now!
Politics Now!
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