scary news, the grenadier PM....and our clown prince PM...
after old fart kong kar kiao, the fun begins...
Najib closer to premiership
Sixty-four branches of the United Malays National Organisation party (Umno) have nominated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to become the party's next president. -- PHOTO: AP
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S deputy prime minister has secured enough endorsements to run for election as the ruling party's next president, according to an official count on Monday, moving him closer to succeeding the country's unpopular leader.
Sixty-four branches of the United Malays National Organisation party (Umno) have nominated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to become the party's next president, surpassing the minimum 58 endorsements required for a candidate.
Mr Najib is widely expected to win the post unopposed in the party's elections for top office-bearers in March because his sole challenger - Mr Razaleigh Hamzah, a veteran lawmaker - has received no nominations so far.
'Najib will win, definitely,' said Mr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, a political science lecturer at the National University of Malaysia.
'I would be very surprised if (Razaleigh) could get more than five nominations.'
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced earlier this month that he would not defend his presidency of the party amid intense demands for his resignation.
Support for Mr Abdullah has slumped since he led the governing coalition to disastrous losses in March general elections.
Mr Razaleigh's aide, Mr John Pang, said Mr Razaleigh was still not quitting the contest. Another 127 party branches will announce their nominations over the next three weeks.
'Razaleigh is offering himself ... to provide a leadership alternative,' Pang said. 'He has proposed to democratize the party and rid it of corruption. Let's see if his offer is taken up.'
Mr Abdullah says he will hand power to Mr Najib if he becomes the ruling party president in March. Every prime minister since independence in 1957 has been the head of the Malay party, which spearheads the 13-party governing coalition.
Political uncertainty remains high because Mr Najib is facing opposition accusations of abuse of power. Also, many prominent politicians are vying for other senior party posts, which are a stepping stone to high-level government positions.
The most recent of the accusations involves the purchase of military helicopters while Mr Najib was defence minister. Critics have suggested there was some irregularity regarding their price - a claim denied by Mr Najib.
'The biggest threat to Mr Najib is definitely those allegations,' said political scientist Mohammad Agus. 'The game is not over yet.'
The government's popularity has plummeted amid racial disputes, a weak economy and corruption claims.
It returned to power with only a simple parliamentary majority in March and has since been rattled by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's threats to seize power through defections. -- AP
after old fart kong kar kiao, the fun begins...
Najib closer to premiership
Sixty-four branches of the United Malays National Organisation party (Umno) have nominated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to become the party's next president. -- PHOTO: AP
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S deputy prime minister has secured enough endorsements to run for election as the ruling party's next president, according to an official count on Monday, moving him closer to succeeding the country's unpopular leader.
Sixty-four branches of the United Malays National Organisation party (Umno) have nominated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to become the party's next president, surpassing the minimum 58 endorsements required for a candidate.
Mr Najib is widely expected to win the post unopposed in the party's elections for top office-bearers in March because his sole challenger - Mr Razaleigh Hamzah, a veteran lawmaker - has received no nominations so far.
'Najib will win, definitely,' said Mr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, a political science lecturer at the National University of Malaysia.
'I would be very surprised if (Razaleigh) could get more than five nominations.'
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced earlier this month that he would not defend his presidency of the party amid intense demands for his resignation.
Support for Mr Abdullah has slumped since he led the governing coalition to disastrous losses in March general elections.
Mr Razaleigh's aide, Mr John Pang, said Mr Razaleigh was still not quitting the contest. Another 127 party branches will announce their nominations over the next three weeks.
'Razaleigh is offering himself ... to provide a leadership alternative,' Pang said. 'He has proposed to democratize the party and rid it of corruption. Let's see if his offer is taken up.'
Mr Abdullah says he will hand power to Mr Najib if he becomes the ruling party president in March. Every prime minister since independence in 1957 has been the head of the Malay party, which spearheads the 13-party governing coalition.
Political uncertainty remains high because Mr Najib is facing opposition accusations of abuse of power. Also, many prominent politicians are vying for other senior party posts, which are a stepping stone to high-level government positions.
The most recent of the accusations involves the purchase of military helicopters while Mr Najib was defence minister. Critics have suggested there was some irregularity regarding their price - a claim denied by Mr Najib.
'The biggest threat to Mr Najib is definitely those allegations,' said political scientist Mohammad Agus. 'The game is not over yet.'
The government's popularity has plummeted amid racial disputes, a weak economy and corruption claims.
It returned to power with only a simple parliamentary majority in March and has since been rattled by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's threats to seize power through defections. -- AP
