Mahathir's miscalculations? DON'T RULE HIM OUT YET!

Is Mahathir getting things wrong again?

This time, he is not happy with Najib. Well, being not happy is a minor matter as half of the nation is not happy with the PM, according to a recent survey, and Dr M is just one of them.

But the extent of his unhappiness such that he would openly withdraw his support for the PM, is not a small matter any more.

This means, their relationship is strained or perhaps even torn. In politics, this could mean an additional pressure or even menace.

Despite his advanced age, Mahathir's political cells remain highly active, and his statements still carry some specific political messages.

He offered a number of reasons from the depressing results in GE13, repeal of ISA and restricted residence, over-dependence on patronage policy, to tense religious and ethnic relations, summing up that Najib has not performed any better than his predecessor Abdullah.

Speculations are rife whether Mahathir is also unhappy because of things other than what have been explicitly mentioned. Perhaps his real frustration stems from things he never said.

Take for example, the future of Proton, MAS restructuring program and Iskandar Malaysia project, among others.

The national carmaker is currently encountering a development bottleneck, asking the government for RM3 billion of R&D fund (Mahathir was recently appointed advisor).. MAS restructuring is in the pipeline and Mahathir openly questioned the motives behind the privatization of the national flag carrier. As if that was not enough, Mahathir also made some harsh criticisms over the Iskandar Malaysia project.

It appears that the former prime minister is still very confident of his influences.

The last time he did this was some seven or eight years ago during Pak Lah's first term as PM. He started to hit out at Pak Lah at a time when the latter was still enjoying pretty good approval rates. Pak Lah led BN to a landslide victory in a way far more impressive than what Mahathir had done.

Pak Lah's reputation began to go downhill soon after he was slammed by Mahathir. Prior to 2008 general elections, Mahathir openly urged the voters to forsake BN.

Suffering humiliating defeat in the elections, Pak Lah's position in Umno became shaky. Mahathir was leading the campaign to bring down Pak Lah in favor of Najib.

Last time, he said he made a wrong decision to handpick Pak Lah as his successor, and now he said he was wrong again as Najib was not as good as he thought.

That said, Najib's showing is not all about whether Mahathir likes him or not, not should it have anything to do with his personal interests.

Indeed Najib has been too generous in handing out assistance, but isn't Mahathir doing the same thing urging the government to tailor its policies to the needs of the Malay community?

The increasingly tense ethnic and religious relations of late have everything to do with Mahathir's unwavering support for Perkasa and Malay conservatives. Some of Najib's more liberal policies, including the New Economic Model, have been modified and even shelved thanks to Mahathir's objection.

There are stark contradictions in Mahathir's remarks, and his foresight is of dubious quality. He sees only himself, and trusts no one else but himself.

His withdrawal of support will not do much to dent Najib's administration. Najib has no apparent challengers in the party. If Mahathir does not support Najib, who else can he side?

In the end, Najib will have to face the voters who will determine whether he should stay or leave. Mahathir's criticisms can at best serve as references. Najib should answer to the nation and her people, not just Mahathir. -Mysinchew