ALL of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) opponents are seemingly in a state of disarray and panic.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassi’s career is on the brink of oblivion, PAS is contemplating breaking its alliance with Bersatu.
Considering all this, I certainly have no doubt that like Zahid exclaimed recently, both enemies from the outside and from within are currently in a desperate enough state to offer Zahid the PM post if only he is willing to betray Anwar.
Getting Zahid to betray Anwar is likely the only last chance that Anwar and PH’s opponent have to stymy PH’s advance and perhaps even overturn PH’s reign before its term is up.
If they wait any longer, not only will Anwar and PH be able to establish themselves in the national political landscape in such a firm manner but it will likely be unstoppable for several elections to come.
Zahid – as it currently stands – is the only thing that stands between Anwar crushing all of his opponents and establishing PH as the party that will rule Malaysia for the foreseeable future.
If Zahid betrays Anwar, UMNO, Perikatan Nasional (PN) and other opponents of Anwar and PH in Sabah and Sarawak will likely combine their strength to overthrow Anwar’s reign.
The fact that Anwar and PH’s opponents are offering Zahid the PM post likely indicates that they are aware Zahid might hesitate to accept their offer on account of his 47 DNAA’s (discharge not amounting to acquittal).
In the way that Malaysian politics goes, it won’t be surprising that the minute Zahid shows an interest in taking up the opposition’s offer, his 47 cases that received a DNAA might suddenly be reopened.
Gargantuan task
However, if Anwar and PH’s opponents are able to convince Zahid that he will be the next PM if he colludes with their effort to topple Anwar and PH, then Zahid will have nothing to fear about his 47 DNAA’s.
If Zahid ever has any intention of being the next PM, the time to make a move is now or never.
If he hesitates and Anwar succeeds in crushing all of his opponents, then Zahid will likely never be able to become the PM – at least for so long as Anwar is alive.
If that were to happen, Zahid will then have the misfortune of ending up in history as the UMNO president who relegated UMNO from its status as ruling party to that of a subordinate party.
Other than being known as the leader of UMNO that destroyed the party’s prestige and status, Zahid will also likely remain in the memories of the Malays as a Pengkhianat Bangsa.
Considering that, it is almost certain that Zahid is very much looking forward to an opportunity to rehabilitate his image.
Anwar however, does not seem to be very sensitive to Zahid’s desire. If Anwar does more to satisfy Zahid’s wishes to rehabilitate his image, it will be Anwar’s own fault if Zahid becomes inclined to topple him for it will be his own negligence that planted the seed of betrayal in Zahid’s mind.
But even if Zahid is planning to make a move on Anwar, his desires are not going to be easy to execute, both in practical and psychological terms.
Practically speaking, even if Zahid succeeds in toppling Anwar, his tenure as PM will almost certainly be backed by such parties as Bersatu and PAS – who like UMNO – are Malay parties that depend on the support of Malays.
To be a PM who is dependent on competing Malay parties who will profit the more than your own party suffers losses is an unenviable task.
Also, he will have to contend with the leaders like Muhyiddin who sees himself as a PM material as well as the likes of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg (Abang Jo) who will likely use the fact that Zahid is dependent on his support to be the PM in Putrajaya to continue establishing Sarawak as a country within a country within the Federation.
Last but not least, he will also have to contend with Anwar himself who will likely still be a powerful opposition leader and who will likely not take too kindly to Zahid’s betrayal.
Anwar at fault
To remain as the PM, Zahid will probably have to conduct a harsh purge to remove all the above leaders which he might not have the strength to do if he is to become a lame duck PM who is dependent on his opponents to rule.
Even if he manages somehow hold on to his position as the PM, the compromises he will have to make and harshness that he will have to evoke in order to maintain his grip on power will likely only end up re-asserting his image as a pengkhianat bangsa rather than rehabilitate it.
However, if it does come to pass that Zahid does betray Anwar, I think it will be Anwar that is to be blamed more than Zahid.
Zahid has done a lot for Anwar but Anwar has not done enough to reciprocate Zahid’s sacrifice and loyalty.
Considering Zahid’s loyalty and sacrifice, Anwar who is six years older than Anwar should do more to see to it that Zahid has the opportunity to rehabilitate his image and allow him to entertain the likelihood of him becoming PM someday if it comes to pass that Anwar dies before Zahid.
If Anwar is negligent of his obligation to Zahid, then he has nobody but himself to blame if Zahid does end up betraying and topping him one day. – Dec 6, 2024
Nehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Images credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
