The luminaries of those who attended the Malay Action Front meeting on Feb 4 at PWTC revealed even to the unsuspecting observers that Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in serious trouble with his own party ([#1] Mahathir must listen more to grassroots: MAF leader [/#], Feb 4).

Apart from the obvious that the luminaries and the organiser were made up of the "has-beens" of the Umno political landscape since the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim, mixed with token intellectuals for good measure, what was most apparent was its lack of even tacit endorsement for Mahathir, something he dearly needed at this terminal stage of his political career.

It must be plain that MAF was meant to re-ignite what Suqiu and Hishammuddin Hussein have delicately defused - race relations camouflaged as the high-sounding principle of Malay supremacy. Whereas the unity talk with PAS was designed as a publicity trailer, MAF is the fuel to sustain that fire that is in danger of being self-extinguished.

On the eve of the MAF meeting, Mahathir was concerned that the talk show could degenerate into one where he might be denounced. Not all who came were fans of the prime minister. Reading from what was actually spoken (as against what was carried in the official media) proved that Mahathir's fear was not unfounded. In short, barring the parody of Ibrahim Ali (and even he felt compelled to hold Mahathir responsible for the Malay disunity), almost everyone who spoke was emboldened to put on record that he is the cause all the woes.

Mahathir had opened the Pandora box and one feels that he may have asked for more than what he has bargained for. By talking about Malay unity he opened his flank for others to be critical of him in a politically permissible way. After all, he had gone on record to say that his last mission prior to retirement is to work towards Malay unity. So the likes of Khalid Yunus and Mazlan Harun could go on record attacking all things that are not right with Mahathir, almost with impunity.

From the muted response of the upper echelon of Umno leadership when the race card was first flashed last Merdeka Day to the lukewarm reception when the unity talk with PAS was proposed, the writing on the wall is clear and unmistakable. Umno is looking beyond Mahathir. Anwar may and may not be the wild card in the final equation, that is a complex proposition for whoever inherits Umno's presidency. What is certain is that Umno and the political landscape which Mahathir has helped to transform since Anwar's sacking is already looking beyond the man himself.

It is not a fatal blow to Mahathir's reign but surely the fat lady must be just waiting in the wings to sing him his swan song.