BRING ON THE 'GUNS' CHINA, US, SWISS OR SINGAPORE: 'Only foreigners or God can break Dr M vs Najib stalemate'

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been trying to get rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for over a year.

But despite his relentless attacks, it appears that the battle has reached a stalemate and may require either the hand of God or foreigners to resolve.

"It is a stalemate now. It will continue with both sides trying to attack and counter-attack until the balance is tipped to one side's favour.

"This will most likely happen with some external developments like foreign investigation or some divine arrangement," political analyst Wong Chin Huat told Malaysiakini.

It would seem that Najib himself can't break the stalemate by taking legal action against Mahathir.

Wong said if the prime minister were to sue his arch-rival, it would be a lose-lose situation.

"The public think politics is more powerful than the law. Hence, if the court rules in Najib's favour, the public will believe the courts are controlled by the government.

"On the other hand, if the court rules against Najib, the public will say Najib is so weak that even the controlled courts don't toe his line," he observed.

Will not risk it

As such the Penang Institute fellow said, either way will see Najib losing in the court of public opinion.

The courts ruling in favour of Mahathir will also fuel further conspiracy theories.

Thus, Wong noted, Najib will not risk suing Mahathir.

"He is not a fighter. He only sues clearly weaker opponents," he said.

Despite his penchant for suing his critics, the latest being former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik (photo), Najib has not threatened legal action against Mahathir who has even gone to the extent of accusing the prime minister of theft. - M'kini