Dr. M has already planned this very carefully. He already says too many UM NO old timers are still hanging around, that is bad for UMNO (and his son). So if Mukhriz becomes VP in 2013, he will challenge the Deputy in 2016. You never know, he may become UMNO president in 2019 when Najib’s time is up. instead of upsetting warlord from Sabah, easiest path is to dislodge Zahid Hamidi from on the the VP. say hello to continuation of Mahatir’s dynasty succession plan with jr.If Mukhriz ever do get elected (which he will), most likely he will do what his daddy says. So Mahathrism era will be back.The party belong to two families only, outsider please stay away or go for the other smaller / powerless position. Baton with be passed from one side to another to keep the highest position stay within the two families.
This is how Dr. M plan his Mahathir empire.
His decision to enter the fray will put Najib in an uncomfortable position. If the current party president stays neutral, it is likely that his cousin, Hishammuddin, could be a loser when votes are tallied.
If his aides and operatives continue making the rounds and indicating that he wants the status quo, he could upset the Dr Mahathir camp.
In recent weeks, bloggers aligned to the former prime minister have been talking up Mukhriz’s chances of securing one of the three vice-presidential slots, which is seen as a step closer to being at the top of the party leadership.
The 48-year-old became Kedah mentri besar after winning a state seat in the May 5 general election and pro-Umno bloggers feel that he should take a shot at the vice-presidency or lose out in seniority to other upcoming leaders in Umno.
Others in the running to be vice-presidents are Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad and former Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam, although the latter is said to have been offered a senatorship and a plum corporate post to withdraw from the race.
Ali was knocked out of the deputy president’s race in the last party elections in 2009 after claims of money politics.
But Dr Mahathir has said the party needs renewal and younger leaders, in what is seen as a call to party veterans to allow Mukhriz and those his age to move up in the party.
It is understood that Najib has also been talking about renewal and the need for younger leaders to step up although he has thrown his tacit support behind the likes of Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to keep their party posts.
Party insiders say the race is also heating up for the supreme council posts as it is seen as a stepping stone to higher posts and also to influence key party decisions before the next general election.
“For the first time ever, people have to sign up for the contests instead of being nominated. So that means more mavericks and more headaches for those in top posts.
“The bigger slate of choices will throw up many interesting results that can either work for the current leadership or work against them,” a party insider told The Malaysian Insider.
He added that leaders like Mukhriz and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin have a better chance of winning the elections due to their youth and intellect.
“The party needs them to move forward because the old leaders have no idea how to tackle the future,” he said.
“But Najib wants to keep his team, and his cousin. So that’s a problem there,” he added.
Nominations are on September 28 while the elections are on October 19. The party’s assembly will be held in December 2013. Najib is a complete and utter failure on every level. It was evident right from the day he inherited his father’s political career by default. He may share the same ruthless ambition, but certainly not the smarts Garbage in garbage out (GIGO) equals to taxpayers’ money in taxpayers’ money out, but they don’t care. The government of … Read more
