COMMENT | Malaysian politics is once again titillated by the prospect of a change of government in Selangor.

Is this a case where some Ali, Ah Chong or Muthu started off some facetious WhatsApp rumour? Or is it more a case of no smoke without a fire?

Menteri Besar Azmin Ali’s warm welcome at KLIA could suggest either - that the Selangor state government is indeed strong and united, or that things are so bad that some quarters decided some manufactured show of loyalty was necessary.

I can’t pretend to have any insider insight, but I suppose we can speculate as private citizens as to how Malaysia’s overall present political dynamics may affect this current drama.

This two-part series examines the factors encouraging an attempted takeover, why PAS thinks it’s a good idea, and why Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is happily egging them along.

I anticipate that unless those trying to grab power come very close to success, it may seem to the general public that they never tried at all, as no one likes to publicise failure.

Najib and Hadi - no coincidence

Rumours circulating on WhatsApp and such, however specific, are probably not worth all that much.

What is a little more intriguing is the near simultaneous statements by Prime Minister Najib Razak PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, hinting that something could go down in Selangor.

Now, saying something doesn’t make it so (think Anwar Ibrahim and Sept 16). A lot of times people try to ‘say’ things into reality - creating hype that eventually becomes real (think... well, Anwar and Sept 16).

That said, these two statements emerging when they do cannot be considered pure coincidence. It seems reasonable to assume that there have indeed been coordinated thoughts between Umno and PAS concerning the potential takeover of Selangor.

Given the manner in which Hadi basically doubled down on Umno during the recent muktamar (a sentiment thankfully not exactly shared by his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man), it would come as no surprise that Hadi might be interested in a joint takeover of Selangor.

The carrots Hadi chases

Such a takeover will probably be seen by Hadi as benefiting PAS. He will perhaps calculate that PAS’taking over of Selangor (as PAS will have the most number of seats in the new coalition at 13) can be touted as a victory for PAS on a number of levels.

Firstly, it will be the first major expansion of PAS’ political power and influence since the Amanah split. Hadi could thus sell the takeover as an important vindication of his leadership, and proof that PAS post-Amanah under his leadership is growing in stature, rather than diminished in any way.

Secondly, Hadi perhaps thinks that he can use Selangor as a showcase and positive example - especially to peninsular non-Muslims - of what PAS’ stewardship of an ethnically and religiously diverse state would be like. I imagine he would be mistaken in this, but that is merely my view.

Thirdly, the Selangor state government is Malaysia’s crown jewel as far as well-resourced state governments go. Whoever controls Selangor’s resources is in a position to dish out massive amounts of patronage, and PAS has never been exactly rolling in cash...