Najib vs Dr M – will it end with a knockout?
Najib ropes in ‘we’ to battle Dr M
Now with the combative response from Najib, it clearly will be a fight to the end. As Mahathir has pulled no punches, will Najib do the same in the near future?
From a layperson’s observation, Mahathir has huge silent support from Umno. They will not come out in open fearing reprisals from the Najib administration unless there are signs that they are winning. It is not easy to beat an incumbent who has full state machinery and resources at his disposal.
It is made harder as Najib stubbornly refuses to back out unlike previous prime minister Ahmad Ahmad Badawi. Right now it is still a stalemate.
Just watch for the cue of a checkmate to finish off Najib – that will be when more senior Umno ministers/supreme council members started to echo the call for his resignation after a chosen high-level Umno leader volunteers to bell the cat.
Then Najib will be history, unless he makes the first move.
Doc: Mahathir’s knockout rate against previous prime ministers and deputy prime ministers is impressive. Although Mahathir is the underdog in this epic Mahathir vs Najib fight, my money is on Mahathir, based on his previous track record.
Move over Mayweather vs Pacquiao; Mahathir vs Najib is turning out to be the fight of the decade.
Kingfisher: It would be quite misleading to characterise Mahathir’s attempt to chastise Najib as another instance of his penchant to have a hit list.
In this instance, as it appears, he has raised valid allegations that have been common currency amongst many Malaysians for some time.
Mahathir has become judgmental in his criticism/accusations while many have remained agnostic out of any number of reasons, including fear of arrest, intimidation, safeguarding questionable personal interests, etc.
Mahathir, rightly or wrongly, is the only Malaysian who has sufficient persuasion in the present circumstances, which are rather stifling to others, including institutions of governance, to challenge those irresponsible in governance.
WeLoveDemocracy: Najib is still having the solid support of Umno-BN in facing the onslaught from Mahathir. The best way for them to overcome this is internal reconciliation.
There is sufficient time for them to do so because the 2018 general election is still a long way away. If they choose to have a head-on clash, then it will be a great disaster for BN.
Wira: Umno is already deserting Najib. Go to Permatang Pauh and you will immediately know.
Kipas Lipas: If Mahathir keeps on giving bullets to the opposition to attack Najib, I’m afraid not only Najib will fall but the whole of BN too. Then, there will be no use changing the PM anymore.
Kasparovisdead: The question is, why does Mahathir keep doing this? Should we ask Machiavelli? Or Freud?
Machiavelli might say that it could be due to the struggle for political power and conflicts; Freud might tell you it could be a psychological problem of a political strongman.
It reminds me of Singapore’s founding father, the late Lee Kuan Yew. Also a former prime minister and a strongman who had named his successor, Lee, however, did not break ties with his successor. He did not attack him with abusive words either.
Ahlil Kubur: I am also a Bugis descendent, residing in Pekan, Pahang. But I recall that our ancestors fought for a noble cause. Najib, please don’t misquote your ‘bravery’ as a Bugis for the wrong reasons.
Dire Straits: So, these two are descendants of ‘pendatangs’. Now, what right Umno and their supporters have to call the Indians and Chinese ‘pendatangs’?
Chipmunk: I look forward to the 1Malaysia fireworks and hopefully the whole of Umno will come crumbling down. That will mark the real independence of Malaysia.
Thana55: On the contrary, the people are not at all satisfied. It was just bravado talk without compelling rebuttals to all the questions thrown at Najib. Surely his days are numbered.
Isana: Soon Najib’s ‘we’ will become a lonely ‘I’. Mahathir’s storm is gathering strength and the wise old man knows that Najib’s fellow shipmates will abandon the leaking junk once someone breaks rank.
Hopefully you know how to swim, Najib, and get your lifejacket ready because dark and stormy days are ahead. Sharks are waiting too.
Wandering Star: It is very clear Mahathir is only concerned with himself and Umno, but fair-minded Malaysians should take advantage of this rare opportunity to go along with this ‘catalyst’ of Umno’s doom.
Let us adopt the famous saying from a Chinese leader, “It doesn’t matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.”
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