Saturday, April 6, 2019

Zahid's 109th day: A political mantra formulated


APR
6

TODAY marks his 109th day of 'holiday' from office but it doesn't mean Zahid Hamidi is shying away from politics, let alone quitting as the Umno president. One thing for sure, he is determined not to bow out to internal pressure in Umno for him to leave for good.

At the Town Hall Session in KL today, Zahid made it clear to his critics in and outside Umno that he got valid reasons to stay. I believe with more 'mutiny unearthed' among some party leaders who tried to take credit and forming some sorts of agreement with Pakatan Harapan, the knife is in his hands.

Being away has given Zahid a chance to get a better aerial overview of such movements. He notices that apart from the political ambience that had caused some Umno's Members of Parliament to cross-over, he distinguishes a crucial fact that some members are on the take to topple him. Hunger for greed and power, the pact led by a former minister has began preying on others.

Zahid is fast to identify this, especially when friends turned to foes.

So, rather that seeing 'them going to heaven and leaving others in hell', Zahid has to come on stronger with the group left. His appearance today did send some shivers to his opponents. And with the ever-building support from Barisan Nasional components MCA and MIC, Umno is on the right track again.

What about his nemesis in Umno itself? No worries, they will know. With deputy president Mohamad Hasan on his side, plus the undivided support from former PM Najib Razak, Umno sec-gen Annuar Musa and the rest, Zahid just needs to proceed with his agenda.

Problems in Umno come in dotted lines, and now it is up to Zahid to joint it with his politics of engagement. Even the problems are fizzling out after some of his 'enemies' who were at the session today, began to realize that their distasteful doings are being made-public. The closet will eventually be made open.

It was also the 3rd 'close encounter' to his office at Menara Dato Onn in a week, a sign that he is still in control and the commanding chief to be recognised by the country. Despite being slammed with 47 legal cases - five more than that of Najib's - now is the time for Zahid to continue steering the party while waiting for trial's outcome.

His events and utterances in a week underlined a point that Umno is making over many years - that party betrayals cannot beat him. The political arguments for and against him made him stronger and raring to go. The bottom line is, 'I've got your balls in my hands!'

There was this wisdon: "In life, you must be worried when an enemy celebrates with you." So, in his case, right or wrong is never a consideration anymore. Zahid must be blunt and sharp at the same time, they will tango to his judgement.

So, deciding on whether or not Zahid will get rid of his enemies is not based on what they did wrong, but more on the question of how much will it affect the party and its support base. Zahid is aware of that, and how enemies can become good friends when they meet on points of similarities but disloyal friends make the worst enemies.

Party culprits are there. Not forgetting Pakatan Harapan 'the donkey government', Zahid has a well-organised team to neutralise the enemy within and applying more pressure on the Cabinet.

The Town Hall session is a good platform, not only for Zahid but for BN, to rally support and sympathy nationwide. As Umno and Pas cooperation is putting the ruling party at rickety, BN can look forward to seeing more light at the end of the tunnel.

Umno under Zahid must prove to Malaysians that the unification of BN and Pas is the best bet to wrest Putrajaya. A designated saviour for Umno and BN after losing the 14th general elections, Zahid now gets better understanding of the whole situation.

Zahid has nothing to lose but many more to gain instead. Forget the cowardice stunt by some of his friends after the general election, Umno and BN must be seen as the country's choice again, and that picking PH as the government was a big mistake.

Just get all the ducks in a row! I think they are ready by now...

Posted by Bujal.

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