A SURVEY supposedly carried out by Ilham Centre from Aug 1 to Sept 30 showed that caretaker prime minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was leading the pack to become the PM for another term should Barisan Nasional (BN) win the general election.

However, situation in the political arena can be so fluid that things can change overnight. After the dissolution of parliament on Oct 10, the changeover of guards has given Zahid the upper hands. Eight of the politicians linked to Ismail Sabri have been dropped.

Would Zahid or Ismail Sabri become the next PM if BN win the national poll? I think the question that should be asked is rather: “Would Zahid let go of the opportunity to be the next PM if BN won the general election?”

Although the chart above shows that even PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang scored 4% compared with Zahid’s )% in the popularity survey, it is hard to imagine that Zahid would not cling on to power as UMNO’s No. 1.

Why would Zahid relinquish his position to anyone for the matter since being the PM means he could do a lot to save the UMNO ‘court cluster’, including himself?

Therefore, unless PH has a clear majority, the country would have to embrace Zahid as the 10^th PM.

PAS’ obvious choice

In wanting to form the government of the day, PAS could abandon Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) for Zahid’s BN, thus leaving out Bersatu in which the former PM is the party’s president in the cold.

When this happens, Muhyiddin will realise that PAS was merely using Bersatu to garner some Malay votes to achieve its own political agenda. After all, there is no true enemies nor true friends in politics.

We have already seen how PAS supported Muhyiddin but when Ismail Sabri was picked as PM, they flocked to the latter.

Would Ismail Sabri have a chance to be PM – once again? Yes, if his eight generals chose to contest under Bersatu against UMNO and PH. If they won, they would consolidate Ismail Sabri’s position further.

The status quo would remain after the GE15 with Ismail Sabri reinstated as PM for another term. Should this happen, Zahid may have to battle for his own survival and try to fight the court cases on his own.

Too many scenarios

Malaysians will have to continue to watch what unfolds as it is too premature to even decide who will be the next PM at this juncture.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can only be the PM if the ground has shifted in both East and West Malaysia to the point that PH is able to win a strong majority.

For now, I would not be that optimistic but anything can happen in Malaysia as we have seen in the last general election.

Many of us who have seen the poor governance under PH in Selangor after 2+1 terms are finding it hard to believe that PH will be able to deliver good governance at the federal level.

How much can one trust a coalition that continues to recycle ministers who created a big mess in their previous portfolio?

Even if their children can become world champion swimmers, many parents would be dissatisfied with Dr Maszlee Malik being appointed the Education Minister again. He had also created such a big stir in East Malaysia with his advice given to the ulama (Muslim scholar) being placed in East Malaysia.

And incumbent Damansara MP Tony Pua (although he has announced recently that he will not defend his seat) has promised that he would return to serve in the ministries should PH won the general election. Being a bane to the business community, Pua would turn away PH voters from casting their vote of confidence in PH.

Anwar has to know what is happening on the ground, and take time to address the sentiments of the people. Mere ceramah (talk) would not do the job. – Nov 3, 2022

Stephen Ng
Kuala Lumpur

https://focusmalaysia.my/whos-the-next-malaysian-pm-zahid-ismail-sabri-muhyiddin-anwar-or/