The PC lasted around 40 minutes. Anwar is confident. No, not confident. Basically, he has the numbers. He has the 31 names (and more, he says) that will jump to PR. Its a matter of whether the current PM would like to “surrender” honorably.
The timeline given to the current PM, if I caught the gist of his answers to the questions is until Tuesday, September 23. If the current PM does not bite, then PR will convene a meeting on the next course of action or seek an audience with the King.
He says that he cannot reveal the names for fear that the jumping MPs will be harrassed and possibly ISA’ed. Oh, and he also wants Teresa Kok to be released because as it is, it is a number game.
Someone asked, can’t he wait when the Parliament re-convenes to which he said that (words to the effect) that Malaysia is in dire straits. The economy is in shambles and this new government need to be set up soonest possible.
I can understand their wish to set up the government as quickly as possible but with the slender majority (if it happens), how strong are they? This is really an issue that I still can’t appreciate. Just look at the current BN. Even with the numbers, they’re seen as very weak.
So, we wait again.
Now, how will UMNO/BN react to this? Much has been said about the need for the current PM to step down. By stepping down, UMNO/BN can move forward. But is it enough for UMNO/BN for only the current PM to step down? What about the current DPM? Does he also need to go? He is one-half of the team that failed miserably. By allowing the current PM to continue 6 months after leading BN to the worst ever elections result, the current DPM is also seen by some, as a problem. Some say that the current DPM should’ve demanded that the current PM to step down. On hindsight, maybe he should have.
So as in a chess game, what will UMNO/BN’s next move? The top 2 probably need to go. If both of them realize this and make that decision, then the 31 jumping MPs may even not jump. But the decision has to be made quickly. UMNO needs to start fresh. The 2 is Ku Li and Muhyuddin. Then will the plot be more interesting.
For Anwar, time perhaps is the factor. He probably need to strike when UMNO is at its lowest. If UMNO’s cancer is treated quickly, then it will be well again. Making it difficult (but still achievable) for Anwar’s PR.
