Those who would be king

It's time for those who wish to be PM to make their case to Mahathir.

COMMENT

Kingslayer. Kingmaker. Mahathir is both, having installed prime ministers and unseated them. As the single most influential force in Malaysian politics today, Mahathir’s words have incredible authority, and his disapproval will weigh heavily on those who fail to live up to his expectations.

Such is the fate of Najib Razak, who now bears the unflattering distinction of being Mahathir’s current target for extermination.

With Mahathir finally voicing his opinion that Najib must step down for the good of the country, a candidate must step up to grab the brass ring. Thus far, the good doctor has not indicated any preference, and he is looking for someone to step up to the plate and demonstrate the kind of leadership skills and political savvy he likes in a leader.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, the Kelantan prince fondly known as Ku Li, has already thrown his name into the ring with a brutally honest speech in Parliament, and he recently called on Najib to answer the accusations levelled at him by Mahathir.

While Mahathir has never been a fan of Ku Li, the prince is well known for his accomplishments and is well versed in politics. He is a figure that commands respect, and has an intimate understanding of economics from several positions he held in his earlier career as a politician. The dignified demeanour of Ku Li would be a breath of fresh air against the ostentatiousness of Najib and his cohorts.

One must also keep in mind the dark horse for the title of Prime Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein. As we speculated some time back, Hisham has weaved his way into the public consciousness and made a case for himself by being on the ball with the MH370 disaster, and that effort has paid off with a Merdeka Centre poll showing him as a preferred future candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

However, if he indeed is reaching for the brass ring, Hisham will need to make it clear that he does not stand on Najib’s side in the current conflict. Refusing to commit will earn only Mahathir’s ire, and if it is indeed true that Hisham’s ultimate goal is to become the Prime Minister, he will have to pay tribute to the grand old man and oppose Najib.

Sensing the changing tides, even Youth Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has called upon Najib to answer Mahathir’s accusations. Khairy does indeed have potential, with Mahathir’s confidante Kadir Jasin once labellling him as a potential deputy prime minister.

Mahathir has seemingly rebuffed Muhyiddin Yassin, refusing to endorse the DPM. It is worth noting that Muhyiddin is believed to be siding with Mahathir, but it seems like he has not stepped up to the plate in a manner acceptable to Mahathir.

The Kingmaker is looking to make a new king. Before he deposes the current one, he will look for a new candidate among those in government. It is time for those who would claim power to make their case to the the grand old man and prove their worth.