Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been pushed into a corner regarding the Nasir Safar debacle, said political analysts.  

"Najib had to sacrifice Nasir for the sake of MIC and MCA," said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Deputy Dean of Social Sciences P Sivamurugan.

NONE On Tuesday, Nasir reportedly called the Indians and Chinese in Malaysia 'pendatang' (immigrants) and allegedly said that Chinese women come to Malaysia to "sell their bodies", much to the ire of MIC President Samy Vellu, who called for Nasir to be charged with sedition.

Despite denying the claims against him, Nasir on Tuesday apologised and announced via a press statement that he will tender his resignation.

"If you can't even convince the people closest to you, including your special officer, of your policies, then how do you expect to convince the rest of us?" asked Universiti Malaysia analyst Azmi Sharom.

He added that yesterday's debacle also raised speculation that Nasir's outbursts had sinister motives.

"It is illogical for him to say something which obviously goes against what his boss is championing," he said.

Azmi said if this was indeed evidence of a movement against Najib, that movement is being led by those with considerable influence in Umno.

'Circumstantial evidence'

Nasir is an Umno stalwart, having served as a Johor state assemblyperson and division chief in the 1980s. He is currently the deputy chief for the Tanjung Piai Umno Division.

pedestrian past najib 1 malaysia poster The incident, Azmi added, could be the first sign of "circumstantial evidence" of a faction against Najib comprising Umno old guards who may be dissatisfied with their president, and said it was not a "grassroots" movement.

However, the analysts said that it is still too early to speculate about serious in-fighting between the party's top brass.

"The number two is always expected to challenge and contest the number one. But he also plays a very important role in supporting the number one," said Sivamurugan.

Possible reasons for the dissatisfaction include Najib's inclusive policies, which some believe overtly benefit the non-Malay community.

"But Umno must take the step to reposition itself even if it alienates its traditional supporters," said UKM political scientist Mohammad Agus Yusoff.

NONE Like it or not, added Agus, the veterans must step away from their conservative Malay-centric views to convince the people that Umno and BN are not racist. 

"They want to maintain the status quo, and there's nothing wrong with that. But you cannot expect to maintain the status quo by using outdated methods," he said.

The only way Najib can ensure that such outbursts do not recur is to 'overhaul' his team.

"He needs to make sure that he has support from inside and outside of the party," said Agus.

Sivamurugan agreed, saying Najib appears to be talking alone with no team to back him up.

Risky measures

Taking such measures may be a risk, said the analysts, especially since Nasir's statements reflect the views of many Umno leaders, and a large section of the Malay community.

"This mindset exists among Malays not just in Umno and has existed since the May 13 incident," said Ti Lian Ker of MCA's Institute of Strategic Analysis & Policy Research. 

As such, Sedar Institute executive director Khaw Veon Szu said that Najib's next move depends on "his determination, capability and political wisdom to control this kind of people under his leadership."

NONE Risky or not, the prime minister may be on a one-way street, as it is too late to return to the old way of politics. 

Agus noted that non-Malays have been "kingmakers" in many elections, and courting their votes was important.

But according to Azmi, Najib stands to gain more than non-Malay support through taking a liberal stance.

"He is in the awkward position of trying to win the undecided Malay voters and they may be Malay supremacists or liberals. Najib's job is to find out.

"But in the current political climate, it is perhaps his best bet to take a liberal stance," he said.