The perils of being a Prime Minister

In any position, job performance is requisite on whether an individual would obtain the job on a permanent basis. In any job, that is except the job of a Prime Minister. What was shown today over the prime news (Buletin Utama, 8pm 10.7.2008) is Mr PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announcing that he would relinquish power in 2010. His successor is none other than his deputy, Najib Tun Razak.

This, I believe is largely due to the dismal performance of the Barisan Nasional in the 12th General Election. Here is one job that depends on how good the entire party performs in an election.

By relinquishing his power in 2010, our premier would be the first Malaysian premier to relinquish his power to his deputy due to political pressure. He would also be the frist Malaysian premier fails to finish his term in office.

This development would definitely create ramifications on interested parties largely due to the existence of patronage politics in Malaysia. First and foremost to be affected is Khairy Jamaluddin, UMNO Youth deputy chief cum MP for Rembau cum son-in-law. He had once said that he would like to be the youngest Prime Minisiter by taking over the premiership by the age of 40. With Abdullah no longer at the helm, Khairy's dream would remain a dream.

This doesn't mean that Najib would have a bed of roses to achieve the prime ministership. PKR de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim has constantly kept the BN - led government on their toes by repeating the threat of crossover by 30 BN MPs. Of course these threats has ceased temporarily because of the Najib-Anwar sodomy blame game.