Can Najib sleep well now that Anwar’s gone?

There's no sign that Anwar's conviction will return support for BN, says blogger Shahbudin.

PETALING JAYA: Najib Abdul Razak may think he has ended Anwar Ibrahim’s career as an active politician, but that doesn’t mean the Prime Minister can sleep any easier, says Shahbudin Husin, an analyst of Umno politics.

For one, Shabudin says in his latest blog posting, a renewed wave of sympathy for Anwar might translate into greater support for Pakatan Rakyat.

Reporting on the talk around town, he says there is sadness for Anwar and his family and disappointment over the Federal Court decision at discussions in coffee shops and office canteens, including in government offices and even a branch of CIMB, a bank headed by one of Najib’s brothers.

“The outpouring of sadness and sympathy for Anwar and his family can be heard nearly everywhere,” he writes. “Many blame Najib, Umno and the government. Indeed, there’s no sign that Anwar’s imprisonment will return the people’s support for them.”

He posed a series of questions, some of which are rhetorical.

“Will the support of the people, especially the younger generation, return massively to Barisan Nasional? Or will Anwar’s conviction result in an even braver uprising and rejection of BN?

“What will happen to Pakatan Rakyat and PKR? Will there be a break-up or a strengthening of the coalition?

“Will Anwar’s prediction that his imprisonment will result in an increase in popular votes for the opposition – from 52% to 60% – come true?

“More important than all that, will former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad return his support to Najib or attack him more fiercely? If he gives back his support, would that mean that Mahathir would be willing to forget about 1MDB and BR1M, which were the reasons he cited for opposing Najib?

“If Mahathir continues with his attack, what will eventually happen to Najib? Who will save him? Will he be able to fight back with the support of his Cabinet?

“Or will it now be easier to oust Najib?”

Shahbudin says those are only some of the questions that have cropped up with Anwar’s conviction.

He says the result of the upcoming by-election in Permatang Pauh will be an indicator of how the 14th general election will go.