Umno retreat could get heated; Abdullah's rivals attending could be attacked by prime minister's supporters
By S JAYASANKARAN
IN KUALA LUMPUR
Business Times
June 04, 2008

 

A THREE-DAY retreat starting tomorrow for members of the supreme council of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) - meant to 'brainstorm' the party's future - could get nasty.

The retreat will be chaired by Umno president Abdullah Badawi, who as prime minister has come under relentless pressure to step down following the dismal performance of the ruling National Front in the March 8 general election.

Mr Abdullah, however, has stood his ground and seems to have weathered the storm despite withering criticism from former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who resigned from Umno last week hoping to prompt a chain reaction in the party - which did not eventuate.

But the retreat will bring together other notable critics of Mr Abdullah, who could be attacked by the prime minister's supporters during the meeting. They include two powerful Umno warlords - International Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Selangor chief minister Khir Toyo, both of whom have openly said Mr Abdullah should go.

Even so, it is unlikely that Mr Abdullah will sack Mr Muhyiddin from his Cabinet because, in his weakened position, such a move could backfire. According to party insiders, Mr Muhyiddin wants to rise, which means he wants to contest Umno's deputy presidency should incumbent Najib Razak go for the top post and the prime ministership in place of Mr Abdullah.

Mr Najib has so far stood by Mr Abdullah, but it is not clear how long his support will last. If he does as Dr Mahathir says and moves against Mr Abdullah, the premier will be stricken, possibly fatally.

If Mr Najib stays true, however, Mr Muhyiddin would have to challenge him to ascend in the party - which Umno officials say would be an uphill battle.

According to his allies, Mr Muhyiddin wants to rise because he believes he has no choice. 'He is already above 60,' says one ally. 'And there is no certainty he can defend his vice-presidency, given there will probably be a mad scramble for posts.'

Candidates who have already thrown their hats in the ring include Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam, Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and former Malacca chief minister Rahim Tamby Chik. And more are likely to emerge.

In the background is former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - the only person so far to say he will challenge Mr Abdullah. The prince's allies say he has been working the ground hard, but it is by no means certain that he will get the requisite 58 nominations to contest the Umno presidency.

The wild card in the game is former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, now de facto opposition leader. According to Razaleigh allies, two senior officials from Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) approached the prince three weeks ago on behalf of Mr Anwar, offering him the prime ministership if he would cross over to the Opposition with his supporters.

The Razaleigh allies merely said that the prince 'heard them out'. But the proposal isn't completely wild. The Opposition needs 30 more parliamentary seats to form the next government.

Moreover, Tengku Razaleigh was in the Opposition with Pas between 1988 and 1996, and his crossover would maintain ethnic Malay dominance of the Opposition. Even so, his supporters maintain that it is unlikely he will switch sides.