COMMENT In the wake of an overwhelming show of support in Sarawak and the chief minister serenading him with praises, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is confident of sweet dreams with his wife Rosmah Mansor tonight.

But it could turn into a nightmare when dawn breaks.

 

For tomorrow promises to be a day of days since the talk in town is that Dr Mahathir Mohamad would come face-to-face with Najib in a dialogue session.

The organiser claimed that Najib confirmed his attendance while Mahathir's aide revealed that the former premier would most likely be present.

If this is the case, expect fireworks at the session themed "Nothing to Hide" since Mahathir has accused the prime minister of having much to conceal.

Knowing Mahathir, he would not let an opportunity slip to grill, roast, smoke and bake Najib in the presence of the media.

Furthermore, it is touted as a no holds barred event, where participants can quiz the prime minister on all issues, such as the 1MBD conundrum and even his personal wealth.

Since Mahathir called for Najib's head to roll, numerous quarters have suggested a public debate, which the former premier has agreed to but the prime minister keeps evading.

Hence, observers are taking the claim about Najib willing to attend the session with a fistful of salt.

Detractors often state that the prime minister cannot face the heat on his own, and therefore requires a public relations team to script his words and orchestrate his actions.

Love or loathe him, Mahathir, on the other hand, has an admirable trait, which is his courage. And this has not mellowed with age nor has his razor-sharp mind.

Perhaps, Najib has awoken the snoozing lion within himself, given how he has warned his detractors not to underestimate him.

Furthermore, the prime minister proclaimed that the blood of warriors is coursing through his veins.

So is Najib now prepared to lock gaze with his nemesis instead of battling him through his blog and speeches, which violates the warrior code?

Some also claim the session could be a trap for Mahathir, with the aim of embarrassing the former premier in public by raising and exposing contentious issues during his tenure?

Hot on the heels of PM's ultimatum

The dialogue session comes hot on the heels of the prime minister's ultimatum to his ministers to either walk with him or walk out the door.

None have resigned.

But that is no surprise, for such a drastic action would require an important facet - a backbone. Since a large number of political creatures happen to be invertebrates, quitting is not an option.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has remained silent on the matter while Najib's cousin Hishammuddin Hussein dismissed rumours of his resignation, which followed a stir caused by his three conditions - 1) rationalisation of 1MDB,  2) accountability if there is wrongdoing, and 3), transparency on (conditions 1 and 2).

The defence minister, however, did not disclose his next step if the conditions are not fulfilled, preferring instead to elaborate on his unbreakable bond with Najib.

The question of accountability also revolves around the prime minister, who chairs the 1MDB advisory board, since his green light is required for all important decisions.

It was interesting to note Rural and Regional Minister Shafie Apdal's response when quizzed on whether he would resign.

Refusing to do so, he argued there is no reason to resign for asking questions on matters of public interest.

In other words, Shafie meant that those who cannot answer the questions should quit and not those who posed them. Perhaps, he had Najib in mind.

And now, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has revealed on which side of the fence he stands.

Calling on ministers to do the "honourable thing", the home minister, who himself should have resigned after the FBI letter saga, told his colleagues to quit if they cannot agree with the boss.

For Najib and his lieutenants' sake, hopefully none of them subscribe to the warrior code of 'bushido', which would require them to disembowel themselves.