BN-Umno still lacks confidence to seek fresh mandate from Malaysians?

BN-Umno still lacks confidence to seek fresh mandate from Malaysians?

So, the political hoo-haa in Terengganu over whether snap state polls will be held appears to be over and a whitewash for the state mentri besar (MB - chief minister).

In the first place, it was MB Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman who strongly lobbied for snap state polls to be held. He even got his state secretariat to back him up in the lobbying. (Read this for context: http://victorlim2016.blogspot.my/2016/08/a-merciless-political-battle-among.html

Alas, it is not to be, or is it?

What can be logically deduced from the “state crisis” are:

i. The ruling state and federal governments led by Prime Minister Najib Razak are still not confident enough to seek a fresh mandate from the rakyat (people) or Malaysian voters, despite Barisan Nasional (BN)’s twin “landslide” wins in the Sungai Besar (Selangor) and Kuala Kangsar (Perak) by-elections last June. The word “landslide” is in italics because whether the wins were landslide or not are debatable and doubtful. It only confirmed a serious political and electoral split in the Opposition.

ii. The lack of confidence could also be due to the “Mahathir” factor. Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s influence in politics and over the rural Malays cannot be dismissed or underestimated. He is said to be still wielding much goodwill with the rural Malays, stemming from his 22-year reign as prime minister. Mahathir could also succeed in reuniting the Opposition, a risky factor for BN and Umno to go into electoral battle.

iii. Either Najib is really, really too bogged down by the global financial probe on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) by some 10 countries or he could be discreetly preparing for snap national polls or the country’s 14th General Election (GE14) before the tabling of state budgets by the end of the year. A snap A snap GE14 will serve Najib well if BN is returned to power. He consolidates his political position by fielding all his “yes men”, thereby giving him the “immunity” that he needs to overcome all the alleged scandals that are tainting him and his leadership.

Former MB and Kijal assemblyman Ahmad Said was now quoted by the media as saying he wasn’t in favour of a state election.

He said all he wanted was for Ahmad Razif to resign with immediate effect from his position.

“I am a cool man and had been patient for two years. But the things that are happening are too much. It has started to affect the people and innocent leaders.

“The damage has been done and Ahmad Razif has awakened the sleeping tiger. Now he has to go. I don’t want a state election but all I want is that he be replaced by others,” he told The Star.

Ahmad Said said that things would have been different if the MB had at least sought his advice, especially on appointments and sacking of Umno men in Kijal and Kemaman.

“The reason for the sacking was that those people who head certain government-linked companies were close to me. Why victimise them?” he asked.

Ahmad Said said the best thing for Ahmad Razif to do was to resign because if there was a state election, BN and Umno will not be able to form a government.

At the last state assembly sitting, Ahmad Said tried but failed to table a no-confidence motion against Ahmad Razif.

Ahmad Said lost the confidence of the Umno leadership after Terengganu BN won the 32-seat assembly with a mere two-seat majority in GE13.

After Najib replaced him in May 2014, Ahmad Said and two other assemblymen resigned from Umno and almost brought down the BN state government. But the trio was persuaded to retract their resignations.

So, are BN-Umno’s political woes in Terengganu really over? In Malaysian politics, twists and changes can happen faster than you can change your underwear.