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DPM Najib seems set to become PM, but who will be No 2 is less clear Last year alone, Mr Najib's name was linked to the much-publicised murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu and also to three shady military contracts that supposedly had his associates and him pocketing some $420 million. Nazry Bahrawi
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IT MAY be a Herculean feat for Singapore's ruling party to unearth credible candidates for its future political A-team, but across the Causeway, there is apparently no such shortage of would-be leaders. For Malaysia's leading political party United Malays National Organisation (Umno), it is quite clear who will assume the top post should Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi heed Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent call to step down after the general elections, according to analysts. Ex-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir had publicly urged that the premiership be handed over to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, whom Dr Mahathir has said was his first choice as successor. But Mr Najib's path to the premiership will not be smooth, according to a senior Malaysia political observer. Mr Najib must overcome a less-than-perfect public persona as his reputation has been tainted by high profile scandals recently. Last year alone, Mr Najib's name was linked to the much-publicised murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaaribuu and also to three shady military contracts that supposedly had his associates and him pocketing some $420 million. Despite this, analysts agree that Mr Najib was the likely candidate to become the next Prime Minister. The crystal ball is murkier when it comes to predicting the nation's future No 2. One name hovers above the rest - current Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also chairman of Umno Youth. Not only is he Mr Najib's cousin, but the ex-Minister of Youth and Sport is also the son of Malaysia's third Prime Minister Hussein Onn, and the grandson of Umno founding member Onn Jaafar. Said political observer Professor Johan Saravanamuttu, former dean of research at Universiti Sains Malaysia: "Most likely Mr Hishamuddin may contest the Vice-President position." Any of the three Vice-Presidents of Umno can be appointed as Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister. One Vice-President position in Umno is currently vacant. But Mr Steven Gan, editor of online news site Malaysiakini believes that Mr Khairy Jamaluddin, 32, current deputy Umno Youth chief, may try to block Mr Hishamuddin's bid to become the Vice-President. "It is in Mr Khairy's interest to make sure that Mr Hishammuddin does not get elected as Vice-President," said Mr Gan who added that Mr Khairy, who is also Mr Abdullah's son-in-law, might himself compete for a Vice-President seat. The senior political observer said a deal may even be brokered between Mr Najib and Mr Abdullah that will see the latter stop down, but with Mr Khairy installed in a position of influence. Prof Savaranamuttu thinks that a more logical move would be for Mr Khairy to take over the position of Umno Youth chief from Mr Hishamuddin. But political scientist Dr Farish A Noor is sceptical. He told Today: "Neither have the clout to command wider support across Umno, and even less across the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition." But if not them, then who? It is hard to predict, says Dr Farish, who believes that Umno is suffering from a "serious leadership deficit". And while it looks likely that Mr Najib would take over, Dr Farish says even this is a fragile state of affairs. "Mr Najib is perhaps the only other senior politician who has some standing and recognition outside Malaysia, but the Abdullah-Najib relationship has been troubled since Dr Mahathir's revelation that the latter was his preferred candidate."
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