For months, Malaysia has been under fire, the rakyat are nervous and angry, but Najib Abdul Razak has struggled to get a grip on the situation. Foreign governments are concerned about rising extremism, but Najib appears to allow our home-grown brand of extremism to fester and flourish.

The rakyat have a genuine grievance but in an extraordinary gesture, Najib used his powers to try and silence Malaysiakini and its readers. If he is using the rakyat’s money to pay his lawyers to sue some members of the rakyat for hurting his feelings, then it would be the most farcical use of taxpayer’s money.

Last week, cracks started to appear in the Terengganu branch of Umno Baru, when Ahmad Said was unceremoniously dumped as the menteri besar. The “wedding which launched a thousand brickbats” has further damaged Najib’s leadership credentials, and the irony is that the beleaguered but wily Ahmad is probably gloating and enjoying the comments of Malaysiakini readers, which are directed at Najib.

One can only surmise that Najib’s personal and party crises have reached epidemic proportions and have forced him to make this serious error of judgment. He must learn that a leader engages with his people, but a dictator dictates terms and bullies.

First. Why did Najib draw attention to himself and his insecurities? By threatening to sue Malaysiakini , Najib effectively increased the ire of the rakyat.

If Najib had simply carried on as he usually does, which is to say and do nothing, we would not have batted an eyelid.

The rakyat know that Umno Baru is going through several internal power struggles. Many people may have assumed that the Terengganu debacle was just another Umno Baru flash-in-the-pan incident involving disgruntled politicians.

By drawing the rakyat’s attention to the wedding-cum-resignation debacle, we discover that Najib is an avid reader of Malaysiakini, like his Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. At least both of them appreciate truthful journalism and ignore the trash which Utusan prints.

Second. Najib succumbed to the Terengganu trio and has opened the floodgates for possible manipulation, or blackmail by party members, in the future.

For the rakyat to be aware of Najib’s foibles is one thing; but it is more dangerous for Umno Baru MPs to study Najib’s Achilles heel and use it against him, when it suits them. Najib fell for the tactics of the Terengganu trio. Looking and acting weak has cost him dear. Who will use similar tactics against him in future?

Politicians, from any state in which Umno Baru enjoys a small majority, can alter the balance of power if they wish. Najib has opened himself to attack.

Moving swiftly only when he wants to

 

Third. we find a different side to Najib’s character. The normally quiet and reticent Najib, who goes out of his way to avoid confrontation and explosive situations, can actually move with lightning speed to resolve matters.

There is however, one proviso; Najib will move swiftly, only when he wants to, and only when his ego is dented.

Najib retaliated because his credibility was being questioned. He did not like being portrayed as a clueless, bungling leader, who had been manipulated by three low-level MPs. Najib’s international image has taken a serious pounding, over the disappearance of flight MH370. The Terengganu debacle has weakened him further.

Fourth. Najib’s mask has finally slipped. Ahmad called Najib’s bluff in Terengganu and to add insult to injury, Najib had to make an appearance at the wedding, and be forced to eat humble pie, the special dish reserved for him, by his host.

Fifth. Najib brought these problems onto himself, because of his complacency.

It is doubtful if we will ever know the real reasons for the spat between Ahmad and Najib. It was alleged that after Umno Baru’s poor performance at GE13, Najib agreed that Ahmad could remain as MB for one year, before Najib’s man was installed.

So, was the wedding a red herring? Or was it the last hurrah for Ahmad to show his contempt for Najib? Ahmad claimed the sultan of Terengganu was unable to attend Ahmad’s daughter’s wedding on a certain date, but cynics will say that official diaries and engagements are marked months in advance.

Sixth. The betrayal of the rakyat is unforgiveable. Apart from the mess in Terengganu, Najib has failed to take tough measures against extremists, and has caused the rakyat to despair because they are always the victims of government ineptitude.

The rakyat have every right to voice their concerns and log their frustrations about a leader who appears to do nothing, except make the occasional useless soundbite. Would Najib prefer the rakyat to take to the streets rather than vent their frustrations on a website?

Seventh. Rules do not apply to Umno Baru. When Umno Baru party members resign, they must reapply to join the party. The speed with which the three were readmitted just shows the contempt Najib and Umno Baru has for the rakyat. Rules don’t apply to them, especially when Najib’s credibility was at stake and the prospect of an opposition-led government looked possible.

Najib may have clung onto Terengganu but the underhand methods have been exposed. Those who could have made a difference have not uttered a word. As always, it is the rakyat who are the victims.

Will this shameful episode be erased from the minds of the Terengganu people come GE14, or will they be reminded and do the right thing? Whatever the case, the egg on Najib’s face can never be wiped off.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).