Obvious to me that GE15 will not be on this year

 

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is concerned by what he learned during this morning’s briefing on the year-end floods, according to a source who was in the room.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the government insider said Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was briefed about the Northeast Monsoon season, which is expected to start next month and last until next March.

--- Malaysiakini 

Comment: I may be wrong, but it is obvious to me that the Yang DiPertuan Agong would not agree to have the general election before February 2023.

       A common thing that even politicians would do is to send out signals to see how the public respond. 

        These small signals are meant to pre-empt the people that there would not be a general election this year, as "announced" by Umno's secretary-general, Ahmad Mazlan earlier. 

        In a news report in Malay Mail today, a disgraced Ahmad Mazlan is forced to play down the meeting of the "Top 5" of Umno, saying that "no special Supreme Council meeting took place tonight." Of course, he was right! But then, who did Ismail Sabri meet after his meeting with the king? 

Why Would He Let Go?

        As mentioned earlier, Ismail Sabri Yaakob is still enjoying the support of the elected representatives from the various parties except Umno. 

        He would not want to be a prime minister for the shortest term, plus it would not look good for Malaysia to have a change of prime minister every one or two years -- at least until the next General Election. 

        I believe Ismail Sabri would hold on to the position until the full term ends middle of 2023. If he is ambitious, which will mean Umno going head on against Ismail Sabri and his team, he would have Ahmad Zahid Hamidi incarcerated.

        After all, it is the "court cluster" that has brought Umno to its heel. Former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would have to spend at least half of his jail sentence, if not two-third before he is released, as any appeal for clemency would not look good for the King. 

        The world is watching Malaysia closely from outside to see if the king would pardon Najib, and if Zahid and Rosmah eventually end up in jail, would they also be released within a ridiculously short time. 

        In fact, an appeal should not even be accepted by the Yang DiPertuan Agong, leading to a scenario where the parliamentary speaker would accept a prisoner to appear in parliament. If Najib turned up in parliament, the whole country would become a laughingstock to the world. 

        The question I would ask is: Would Najib appear in parliament sitting alongside with his Umno colleagues? His crime which is known the world over would rub onto Umno's reputation. And, if only they care for their reputation, I believe Umno would be better off not to allow Najib to sit at their bench. 

        The public is already asking whether it is true that Najib is given special privileges while serving his prison term. The moment someone exposes it, and if Najib is truly placed in a comfortable place within the prison walls, then Umno would again face the brickbats not only from the Malaysian public but overseas observers. We are sending a very negative message about our country to the foreign investors. 

        It would make a mockery of both our judiciary and penitentiary systems, as someone who stole a can of food from the supermarket can be jailed for up to a year, but a politician -- and for the matter, a prime minister -- who has stolen so much money, and causing Malaysia to be in such a huge debt amounting to over RM1 trillion or 63.8% of the gross domestic products, as at June 30, 2022 can "enjoy" his holiday resort in prison. 

         Not only would the world frown on Malaysia, but Lady Justice would be displeased for she treats every man and woman equal under the Law. 

    Reformation to Umno

        I suspect that Ismail Sabri would want to position himself to be the Father of Reformasi to reform Umno, or at least be seen as doing something to bring Umno back together again. In short, back on track. 

        Whether or not Ismail Sabri will be successful depends on the grassroots. If Umno does not go through a sincere transformation, and continue to play on the race and religious cards, it will be wiped off in a matter of time, especially since the younger generation are more digital in their outlook.

        Even when they try to feign sincerity at reformasi, people will be able to see through. Any form of reformation has to begin with the human heart in order to be sustainable and consistent. 

        The young people, especially the Malays, are more exposed to the world outside their own kampung since the advent of the digital age. They would not sing Umno's old chorus. 

        Yet, to be able to achieve this 'transformation within Umno,' Ismail Sabri cannot afford to have the old hats and rotten apples still running around. This would mean people like Najib, Ahmad Zahid and the others who have had their field day may end up in prison for a long time until the transformation is complete in Umno.