The focus was to be on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as he unveiled the 11th Malaysia Plan to chart the nation’s course for the next five years.

But as he strained his vocal chords to announce his vision in a speech that lasted more than an hour, news of a video emerged.

The recording showed Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin calling for heads to roll in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He wanted the board to be given the boot and the top management to be investigated. He also complained of how Najib did not listen to him.

Though the speech was made on Saturday, the recording, however, was uploaded on YouTube yesterday by a former New Straits Times editor.

The veteran newsman, Firdaus Abdullah, is known to be linked to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and even his blog is named after one of the former premier’s most often used expression in the Malay language, which is ‘Apanama’.

His blog postings have often been critical of Najib.

Hence, the question is whether the video was deliberately uploaded and circulated to upstage Najib when the premier delivers the 11MP speech.

And as expected, Muhyiddin’s remarks on 1MDB have become the focal point as opposed to 11MP.

Speculation reignited

Following Najib’s speech, the deputy premier reiterated in Parliament that he stood by his call for the 1MDB board to be sacked and described it as a personal opinion, suggesting differences with his boss on this matter.

Once again, it has reignited speculation as to whether the deputy prime minister has joined hands with Mahathir to engineer the ouster of Najib.

Muhyiddin’s stance on this issue has been vague, if not confusing.

When Mahathir first launched his scathing salvo, he had called on the former premier to give Najib a chance to prove himself.

Later, when Mahathir lamented that he was alone in pursuing the truth, Muhyiddin told the former premier otherwise.

Then Najib roped in Muhyiddin twice into his corner.

The first was when he quoted his Bugis ancestors and their courageous seafaring, saying he nor his deputy would bow to pressure.

Secondly, when he disclosed that the Umno supreme council has endorsed his and Muhyiddin’s leadership.

However, the latest video recording has changed the equation once again, and begs the question whether Najib would survive until the completion of his five-year economic and social blueprint?