Dr M openly supporting Najib as PM

In the first of three parts in an interview with Malaysiakini, Dr M again reiterated that Najib is a better choice as PM, though he was considered a bit too young. For the entire interview, click here. Again, he reiterated his belief that Pak Lah should only stay for one term as PM and then he should pass the baton to Najib.

However, what makes it interesting this time is that he seem to qualify his support for Najib. Take a look at this excerpt:

Do you still think that Najib is the better candidate? Or have you changed your mind on that?

I think if Najib is not so afraid of losing his position if he displeases the prime minister, he would make a good prime minister.

At the moment, he is being attacked from all sides.

Everybody now is trying to secure his own position.

Dr M seem to be hinting at Najib that he better buck up if he wants to still get his support. Elsewhere in the interview Dr M seems to hint at disappointment with Najib's seeming ability to only kowtow unreservedly to Pak Lah, and worse have not met him since his appointment as DPM.

If you've been following the incredible articles in Malaysia Today, Dr M is supposedly already having second thoughts about the suitability of Najib as PM. Not so much due to his abilities (or lack of it), but rather because he's disappointed that he seems spineless. At almost every turn Najib would not fail to heap multitudes of praise upon his boss, and has been defending almost unreservedly when attacked by Dr M. You could argue that Najib is just trying to be smart and stay quiet to secure his chances of becoming PM, but perhaps seeing how Pak Lah was behaving similar as Dr M's deputy and how he eventually turned out, Dr M could be worried that history would repeat itself.

It could also due to the fact that the various allegations of kickbacks and commissions for the defence contracts being linked to Najib is contributing to Dr M having second thoughts as well. In the interview he talked about how a minister should not dedicate himself to make money for himself or his family (alluding to the various allegations of how Pak Lah's family seem to be profiting handsomely from his administration), and when asked if he meant that for Najib as well, he answered in the affirmative.

Anyway, I am no expert in reading too much into these political wayang, intriguing it may be. But I personally do not think Najib is going be a better PM. The rumours I hear about how his wife controls him makes him no different to Pak Lah's supposed control by his children and son-in-law. It would only be replacing a kettle with a pot, both charred black. Considering as well Najib's track record in various ministries, I really cannot remember any particularly good (don't talk about outstanding) decisions or policies he have made. So when Dr M said that he observes his ministers and know who can do what, I am not too convinced. After all, he himself have admitted countless of times (I heard it personally from his mouth in a talk I attended last year) that he is really lousy in picking good personalities. What makes him think that his evaluation of Najib thus far would buck the trend?

Having say that, I really can't think of anyone else in umno who is still considered to be within the power circle who could credibly hold the PM position. The closest I can think of is Ku Li and perhaps Shahrir Samad. But both are considered to be outside the traditional power seats to have any chance.

Remains to be seen how the wayang will be played out. If you are a regular reader of Malaysia Today, perhaps as hinted all the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place by end of this year, and we would know what will happen to our country.