PITA POLITIK (23): "THIS DURI DALAM DAGING" BUSINESS

Wednesday May 21, 2008
Expert: Dr Mahathir’s decision will hasten rise of Anwar


THE decision by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno will catalyse the rise of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, reported China Press.

Current affairs commentator Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian was quoted by the daily as saying that the current political scenario could pave the way for Anwar to become the next prime minister.

He believed the current “battle” between Dr Mahathir and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would certainly cause dissatisfaction among Umno leaders and members.

As such, he foresees some of them jumping ship and collaborating with Anwar, which would ultimately lead to Anwar regaining political power.

Dr Cheah said Dr Mahathir was keen to see a “reshuffle” within Umno.

He added that Dr Mahathir was hopeful that his “preferences” would move up the ranks.

Dr Cheah believed that Dr Mahathir would not like to see his nemesis Anwar rise and gain control, but at the same time, he also did not like Abdullah to be at the helm.(Excerpt from The Star Online, 21 May 2008)

Comment:
Some analysts say Tun Mahathir is very domineering. He will get what he wants no matter what. And by quitting the party he wants to show the world he means business. He does not care what people say about him, such as playing "sandiwara" or whatever. He wants the current PM out. He wants someone else to take over the UMNO leadership. Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak? He has second thought about him. Tengku Razaleigh or Tan Sri Muhyiddin? He has not said a word. Probably he has someone in mind. Nobody knows who.

Tun was the fourth UMNO president who quit the party after Dato' Onn, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn. Almost all quit for personal reasons, whatever reason that might be. In her comment, Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz, The Wanita UMNO Chief said that by qitting the party Tun was being disloyal to UMNO. On the other hand, Dato' Seri Dr. Rais Yatim said the "duri dalam daging" was already out. Some analysts were not sure what Dr. Rais meant by that. If indeed it means that the thorn was already removed from the flesh, then UMNO in the hands of the present leadership would have had a smooth running on its way to recovery since here would be no more stumbling block along the way.

"Not so fast", said one UMNO veteran in Malacca. "Even though Tun's son Dato' Mokhzani has followed his dad, UMNO still has another "duri dalam daging". Remember Dato' Mukhriz, Tun's younger son who was still loyal to UMNO and majority beleives that he is now replacing his father as what Dr. Rais said the "duri dalam daging".
As for experts saying that Tun's decision would hasten Anwar's rise, this UMNO veteran was not convinced. He referred to the Selangor government's failure to act on PKR simple manifesto. Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd. Khalid Ibrahim said the gvernment had insufficient budget to implement some of those promised in the manifesto, like students scholarship and tax reduction except for, of course, "you know what".