First, let us look at one side of the coin: can BN save the PM? BN can only save the PM on one condition, all its component parties must be united. Are they united? They are not.

Gerakan grassroots want to get out of BN. Some enlightened leaders have already left. Others have indicated that they want to leave.

So, if the grassroots, who form the foundation and pillars of the party want out, what should the leaders do? Stay put? What purpose does it serve if there are leaders but no followers? Makes no sense, right?

Leaders, without followers, are nothing. Followers without leaders, mean something: they could, among themselves, choose one who could lead. One who has the guts and gumption to really lead. So, with only two MPs and no Penang base to talk about, Gerakan has no future to bank on. It might as well carry over the two MPs to PKR, another multi-racial party.

Another good reason why it should move with the times is because its leader, Koh Tsu Koon’s photo was torn and stomped in full view of the public. That too by members of its component party. This bold show of contempt and disrespect is unbecoming in today’s age of racial harmony and tolerance. Fortunately, Gerakan supporters were calm and did not go on a rampage. I salute them for their cool heads in a crisis.

So, what chance has it to save the PM, if it cannot even save itself? No chance at all.

MCA, another old partner in the former Alliance, has four ministers in the Abdullah administration. Hence, for this reason alone, it must support the PM, for its future is tied to the PM’s . When the PM goes down, so will the MCA ministers.

Going by pure logic, they must try to save the PM. But, how do they carry the grassroots who feel dischanted by the wild outburst from the Umno racist? Naturally, the people are not too happy being called ‘squatters’ who have been here for generations.

Being likened to the Jews is stretching things too far. Surely, if the Chinese are so rich, they can always move to a cooler climate. But the fact is that most of them are living from hand to mouth. They have to work hard to make a living. Many are just as poor as many of their Malay or Indian neighbours.

Can MCA save the PM? They have no choice but to do so if they want to guard their own rice-bowls. It is a fight for mutual survival, if you want to call it that.

MCA will soon hold party elections. The winners will obviously stay back in BN while the losers may leave the coalition to fight another day on another platform.

MIC is another old horse in the alliance. The top echelon of leaders were knocked out on Mar 8. The three who survived the political tsunami have positions in the government .Their survival is tied to that of the PM. So, what choice do they have?

Even if they want to move house, will they be accepted anywhere else? The Indians in the country are still seething over the unfair detention of the Hindraf Five. The grassroots are not with MIC, this much is clear. The party’s only hope is to cling on to the BN. There is no other way. MIC has to save the PM, rain or shine, thunder or lightning, or tornado!

What about Umno itself? It is split into several camps. One camp wants the PM out, the other wants both the PM and DPM out. Yet another wants Tengku Razaleigh, the old but steady horse, to take over. Does he have enough backers for a chance at the starting line? And even if he has a chance to run, will he gallop away to victory or will he trip and fall?

Then, there is another vice-president in Muhyiddin. Which horse is he backing? Or is he in the race himself? If so, has he got the backing of his fellow-men?And which post is he eyeing?

Then there are dark horses who may throw in their hats at the last minute. Whether their hats will gather enough votes is a big question mark.

So, Umno, being divided itself, may not be able to save the PM.

What about the king-makers in Sabah and Sarawak? Surely they call the shots. Can they save the PM? Yes, if the price is right. No, if the price is not right. If Pakatan Rakyat is a better option, there is no reason for them to stay on in BN. These resource-rich states have been neglected for 45 years and it is payback time.

Now, let us see if the PM can save BN. It is in his power to do what is right and proper. This means that he must have guts to carry out all the reforms he promised in 2004 but failed to fully implement. Now is his last hope and he must act fast. Time is running out. It is do-or-die for the PM.

He is a pleasant man, there is no doubt about it. But pleasantness is not enough to make a good leader. A true leader will push through reforms, even at the risk of losing popularity and even losing his position as PM.

So, in conclusion, the PM can save BN, provided he acts fast. Time is running out for him and BN.