WHO WILL BECOME THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?

By: Ahmad Shahir Abdul Aziz

There are very fantastic stories to share with all of you for what had happen this week. It started with the claims and personal attacks made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohd to the recent Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Actually, the ‘massive war’ between them has begun for the last several years when Tun showed his dissatisfaction with his friend’s leadership by making controversy statements to the media. If we still remind, there are several exiting issues has been raised up by him throughout the government’s administrations. Among them are about the Jambatan Bengkok issue, the function of Khairy Jamaluddin as a planner to the government’s affairs and the recent is about the movement to urge Pak Lah to step down from the both posts, Prime Minister and UMNO President. However, the question is who will replace him to be the next Prime Minister?

Nevertheless, Pak Lah is not alone to face this problem. He has his own crowds to help him from behind to overcome all the obstacles. For example, we can see how brave his team to counter backs all the issues for seeking a support from the grassroots. Although some of them such as Dato’ Seri Najib agreed with some Tun’s opinion, but to them he has to address his critics properly without any intention to topple the leadership. It is because Najib is feeling to replace Pak Lah when the time is coming and of course he doesn’t want anybody to restrict and prevent his dream.

Meanwhile, there is some group in UMNO do not support anyone. They are very outspoken leader and will critic anybody who will not perform very well. They have their own view and stand while commenting certain issues and not rely to anybody. They have also their own capabilities and self-respect to decide any decision or reveal any lameness, injustice and unfairness in party. This is the best group among the others, but the participants are very little. Maybe we can say that Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is apart from them. Although his ambition to be a Prime Minister is very less, but he still has a chance to achieve it by having a vote of no confidence. His suggestion to UMNO leaders for organizing Extra-ordinary Grand Meeting (EGM) is one of the alternative way to rebuild and strengthen back UMNO after facing the tsunami wave on the last general election. It is also as an instrument to fulfill his aims for returning back freedom and democracy in UMNO.

However, another thing we should not forget is about the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He has a potential to become the next Prime Minister after gaining a trust and support from Sabah and Sarawak Members of Parliament to quick Barisan Nasional and join the Pakatan Rakyat. Previously, he has showed his succeed by uniting opposition parties in one alliance. Although they have their own ideology and agenda, but Anwar has a great ability to influence them to sit in one position. By his efforts, it will bring a new dawn for Malaysians regardless of race and religion to choose the best alliance/front to form the government for the sake of country.