Najib Must Step Forward NOW

Monday, 10 March 2008
By Little Bird

This is the consensus opinion among ALL UMNO members except Khairy Jamaluddin. Khairy is now frantic. He is using all means at his disposal (money and threats) to stem what appears to be an unstoppable rumbling in UMNO to get Badawi to leave. Many interesting scenarios are being discussed.

There is strong undercurrent in UMNO Johor to move for a vote of no confidence in Badawi. Mukhriz Mahathir is supposed to make a Press Statement that Pemuda UMNO Kedah or something has no more confidence in Badawi and wants him to step down. Many UMNO boys have started gathering around Najib Tun Razak. The widespread feeling in UMNO is if Najib takes just one step forward and says Badawi must resign, almost the entire UMNO party will fall in behind him. Badawi will leave within seven days. However, Khairy is holding a trump card over Najib's wife Rosmah. And folks say it involves the case.

Yet others say that snuffing out someone's life has not been an obstacle to moving up the ladder in UMNO. Recall Mustakizah the Video Shop owner. She was murdered too. Murderers not caught. So even if Badawi quits, there may not be anyone to take over. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has been suggested as a possible interim leader. That is a long shot.

Here is another scenario - which many say is more likely. Anwar Ibrahim will qualify to stand for elections come April 14th. If Wan Azizah makes way for him, he will become an MP. The scenario being painted is that Anwar will then make a deal with Khairy. He will come back into UMNO as party president, bringing along some Parliamentary seats occupied by Malay members of PKR. Khairy will become his Deputy. Impossible? Think again. This is UMNO. Anything is possible.

Badawi wants his S-I-L to be a full Minister in Cabinet but he has been told that the timing is not right. The party will revolt. We are headed towards very confusing and dangerous times. Time to turn down the volume and work quietly and quickly.