The smirking face of Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak when he addressed the 7,000 Felda settlers in Felda Chemplak, Tenang cleverly disguised one of the PM’s best kept secrets.
For several days, Anwar tried unsuccessfully to engage Najib in a public debate, which the PM has declined, for reasons known only to himself.
Najib proudly boasted that he was not afraid of Anwar.
That is true.
What Najib is really afraid of is not Anwar but the public.
One small slip and Anwar will crucify him. One unguarded moment and Najib’s oysters will be on the chopping block. And what is a good husband to do when his guide and mentor is far away in the magical kingdom of Oman being entertained with singing and dancing?
Najib’s first line of defence was a handful of brave men who heroically offered to take Najib’s place, in the debate proposed by Anwar.
Najib’s hopes were dashed as the men were less than mediocre. In fact, they were awful and he was glad that Anwar rebuffed these men’s challenge. They would make poor champions for Najib, as they are largely ignored by the Umno members.
One is an outgoing youth leader who fears prosecution as he has allegedly been accused by the US firm Alcatel of accepting a bribe to smooth business for Telekoms in Malaysia.
The other potential debating partner is someone who is known in parliament as a class bully, who talks big, is prone to temper tantrums and thinks he’s smart.
He’s the same person who accused Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip of lying. He said, “She lied in the inquest and she is lying now”, which of course did not go down well with the public in Malaysia or Thailand.
The other bystanders like Perak’s Umno Youth chief, voter registration bureau chairman and the Director of the Institute of Ethnic Studies, all said that Anwar’s desire to have a debate was a sign of desperation.
In a sense, they are right. Anwar is desperate to tell Najib about Pakatan’s ’10-point, 100-day reform plan’ and Najib does not want to give him the limelight. Why should he?
Najib wants to push through BN’s alternative ‘101-day reform plan’, but unfortunately his Deputy, Muhdyiddin Yassin, has not given him the details yet.
Sometimes, Najib does wonder if to get things done around him, he and his wife, have to do everything themselves. Good subordinates are difficult to find these days.
It is good to see that Najib has a sense of humour and if he ever tires of being Prime minister, there is always a job as stand-up comedian in Malaysia.
Just look at how he talks down to the crowd. He seems to be able to read what sort of intellect the crowd is made of and adjust his sights accordingly or bring himself down to their level.
At the United Nations General Assembly he said it was a ‘time for moderates to choose peace and pragmatism’ and to speak out against extremism.
At yesterday’s Felda meeting, he put on his slap-stick comedy act and assumed the role of the omniscient boss.
His arrogance showed: “Why should I be afraid of debating with him? I'm prime minister, I have all information. If I expose them... adoi... he will get a fever.”
All talk, but no substance, as usual.
His boastful revelations did not help because those with more enquiring minds, then asked what further information Najib had on Anwar.
Najib’s disclosures that he had more information on the Opposition leader will have aroused people’s curiosity.
Now, people really do want this debate between Najib and Anwar.
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