Top Pakatan Rakyat leaders are not convinced that Najib Abdul Razak will be a better prime minister than Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying the former’s track record does not hold him in great stead to carry out the various wide-ranging reforms the country needs.

azmin ali Contacted by Malaysiakini today, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali stressed that Najib “is no better than Abdullah” in fighting corruption or reforming the judiciary.

“Najib does not have the reputation to take on the reform agenda,” he said, adding that the people now had no choice but to wait and see what changes the country’s new prime minister will make.

Commenting on Abdullah’s decision not to defend his position as Umno president in party polls next March, Azmin claimed that the prime minister “did not want to be embarrassed” by the small number of nominations he would be given to defend his presidency.

“Abdullah’s decision was expected as he did not want to be embarrassed with the nominations by Umno division leaders,” said Azmin.

Yesterday, Abdullah announced that he would not be defending his post as Umno president and will quit in March next year when the ruling party meets for its annual general assembly, making way for Najib to take over the helm of the country.

It remains to be seen if Najib will face a challenge for the top Umno post. Umno president automatically becomes the prime minister

Out of the frying pan, into the fire?

mahfuz omar 01 Another Pakatan leader, PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar also expressed doubts over Najib’s credibility to be the next prime minister, saying the various allegations hurled against him have tainted his reputation.

“There are many doubtful allegations against Najib including a high-profile case such as the murder of (Mongolian national) Altantuya (Shaariibuu).

“It is just like ‘dari mulut buaya ke mulut harimau,” said Mahfuz, quoting a Malay saying that meant going from a bad situation to an even worse one.

“Najib should clear his name first. There should also be a ‘screen test’ for anybody who wants to become prime minister to see whether he is credible or not for the job,” he suggested.

lim guan eng Najib also came under fire from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who said the deputy premier will be quick to use draconian laws like the Internal Security Act once he becomes prime minister.

“Based on his past record and previous positions, he is more ready to use the ISA than Abdullah,” said Lim, who was himself detained under the ISA for 18 months during the infamous Operasi Lallang in 1987.

The Penang chief minister also expressed doubt that Abdullah would make any progress in reforming the judiciary or fighting widespread corruption before he leaves office next March, saying Abdullah needed a “political miracle” to achieve his goals in five months.

“He was unable to do all this the five years he was in office. How can he achieve it in five months? That is a big question mark,” Lim said.

Related stories:

PM-designate ticked off for his silence on reforms

Explosive claims linking Najib to Altantuya

Bar worried judicial, legal reforms will be stalled

Judiciary: What lies ahead