Najib a coward ?

22.4.2008.

Najib is now taking shots from near and far, including the latest salvo from someone near from somewhere far -  Mahathir from Manchester, all because of his guarded stance on the question of AAB's resignation voiced everywhere , but most especially at UMNO's organized meetings in Kedah, Perak and JB. 

Yesterday I posted my comments on this subject on rocky's bru blog on the website mykmu. Reviewing it, I feel inclined to elaborate.

If ever there is a blue blood anointed prince-in-waiting in UMNO, it is Najib. Born of excellent political pedigree, with a silver spoon in the mouth, if you will, Najib burst on the upper echelons of UMNO early. Not for him was the slow slog that was  Mahathir's, before he, finally, at the retirement age of 55, made it to PM. 

The honours for Najib came fast and furious, becoming a 20- plus Menteri Besar, Head of the Youth Wing and a Vice President of UMNO, a Minister, and now a Deputy Prime Minister, and soon, perhaps, a PM. So the circle comes full cycle, the "sireh" returns to "gagang". With the early rise to power and the length of service as an UMNO strongman came the inevitable political baggage. 

Length of service also meant that he was involved in many major upheavels in the party. These, and the near loss of his seat in 1999, saved by Orang Asli votes, should have given Najib the wisdom of experience, of not listening to parasitic hangers-on who always say" no problem, boss", of the need to know and to act, of the need to be leader-like, of the need to have committment,  purpose, and resolve, of the need for character and maturity, in short of the need to be ready to serve and lead.

Now this is such a time.Now there is such a need. With all his years in position of power in the party, Najib should now have a fairly accurate idea of where he stands in terms of real support. Especially telling would be the true friends he should now be able to count on from his days of Ketua Pemuda. The only irony, perhaps, is the question whether he was being true to some friends in finalising the line-up of the GE12. 

Is Najib afraid of the DPM jinx ? After all, in the last 50 years Malaysia has had only 5 PM's, but 8 DPM's. True, it was only under  Mahathir that DPM's had problems. But then again, only 3 were really bloodied - Musa was being too clever, Ghaffar was stabbed in the back, and Anwar jailed for corruption. Najib may add himself to the casualty list if he doesn't respond to the clarion call for action now, because others are already making themselves heard, and some, I might add, are being very brave. 

Isn't leadership from the front ? This is not a time to play it safe. This could well be a watershed in the history of UMNO, whether it remains relevent, or whether it falls at the wayside, and cast into oblivion. This is a crisis of leadership - of bad leadership leading to bad decisions and bad consequences. Leadership is not by default. Leaders are proactive. This is the time to save UMNO, not AAB or Najib or  Mahathir.

Mahathir's scolding is not hate. It's love. He is the father who is exasperated by the lazy son. How many parents have implored the wrath of heavens upon their wayard offsprings ? Some questions don't need answers. They need action. You only live once, Najib. Fate has put you where you are in Malaysian politics right now. Fate put you there when UMNO was split, and you cast your support that made the difference and change the course of its history. You cannot undo that.

But AAB is getting UMNO undone. The irony is that, Najib, you may be thinking that you are doing a service to AAB, by appearing to stand by him. In truth, you are doing a disservice into making him think that he still has support, lulling him into longer self-denial, and hastening UMNO's doom. This is misplaced loyalty if there is one.

How hypocritical ! You were also loyal to  Mahathir, and supported his Cabinet decisions, but you were quite happy to abandon those feelings when AAB came along. You also die once, Najib. Only cowards die a thousand deaths.

............................................................................................................