AT LAST, 'ROYAL INTERVENTION': Zahid, Muhyiddin combo to oust Najib as Ringgit plunges Malaysia into crisis

KUALA LUMPUR - A picture of a beaming Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi hobnobbing with some of Prime Minister Najib Razak's staunchest critics has bolstered speculation Zahid may finally submit to the growing groundswell in Umno and the rest of the country, and throw his support behind predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin to take down the unpopular and scandal-tainted Najib.

"Even if Zahid reconciles with Muhyiddin, there is no loss as he has already secured the DPM's post and will succeed Muhyiddin as PM if Najib is ousted or steps down. Zahid has successfully placed himself as PM in waiting, what he should fear most and protect is his image and credibility - not Najib's political skin," a political source told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Zahid must show himself to be anti-corruption because that's the flavor of the month in Umno. The grassroots are all buzzing about Najib's purported billions and Rosmah's extravagant ways. If Zahid shows himself to be in cahoots with the couple by defending them, he will be seen as another sycophant like Rahman Dahlan or Nur Jazlan - no principles, only personal ambition. I think Zahid can smell which way the wind is blowing and I would only surprised if he hasn't made or accepted overtures from the Muhyiddin camp by now."

Indeed, Zahid who was appointed by Najib to replace Muhyiddin has made sure to announce he has no intention to arrest Muhyiddin, or support a bid by the Najib camp to have the former DPM sacked from their Umno party and stripped of the deputy president's position.

Related Story: NAJIB SHOULD WORRY: Did Johor Sultan broker an alliance between Zahid & Muhyiddin

Political pundits have been predicting another 'purge' from Najib, saying there was no way he could let Muhyiddin stay on in Umno and undermine his hold on the party.

It is not clear if Zahid, who is in charge of the police, was asked by Najib to 'go after' Muhyiddin. Nonetheless, Zahid has distanced himself from any such moves by publicly announcing he would not arrest Muhyiddin for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple Najib.

Many in Umno have warned that such a strategy would be disastrous for the party and for Zahid's own credibility.

"As of now, I don't think Zahid will be willing to do what is needed to save Najib's position in Umno - which is to 'get rid' of Muhyiddin just like Dr Mahathir Mohamad sacked Anwar Ibrahim in 1998," said the source.

"Such a move benefits only Najib, not Umno. Unless there is some lure or offer or if Najib has some hold over Zahid, I am sure Zahid will play it cool. He is in the best spot now because it's up to him who he wishes to support. He can play Brutus to either Najib or Muhyiddin, and surely he will pick the winning camp. At the moment, this is Muhyiddin. Najib has burnt his bridges and only needs time to be completely routed by his rivals."

Royal intervention as M'sia plunges into political & economic crisis

Najib still holds the edge in Umno's decision-making supreme council, where he has cleverly ensured his loyalists won seats.

That he is disappointed with Zahid is highly likely, although his supporters have been careful not to to provoke his new choice of deputy for not helping him to consolidate his hand on power.

Pic - Soon after Muhyiddin's sacking from the Cabinet, he was invited to an audience with the Johor Sultan. According to Muhyiddin, he was sacked because he had questioned Najib's handling of the RM42 billion 1MDB debacle.

Pro-Najib websites such as MyKMU have indirectly accused Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin of disloyalty towards Najib. The Umno women's wing or Wanita too has been criticized after a shock video surfaced online, with a division leader openly berating Najib for 'lying' to Umno.

All eyes are now on Zahid.

When will he make his move? With the ringgit plumbing new lows, trading around 4.03 to the US dollar as of press time, many Malaysians are eager, if not desperate, for Najib to step down and the 1MDB financial debacle finally investigated and resolved.

"I think the picture with the Johor Sultan is of enormous significance. It is to indicate royal intervention because the situation in the country has become very critical," said the source.

"Zahid cannot directly go against Najib, who elevated him to DPM at Muhyiddin's expense. He does not want to be seen to be ungrateful, yet to help Najib is to put Malaysia through further pain and economic suffering. Very simply put - Najib must go - it really is as dire as that. Hence the royal hand - not only to show support for the move to isolate Najib but to reduce the damage in Umno when Najib is finally pried out."   - Malaysia Chronicle