Najib chose to be soft as the hardliners dug in

In my previous posting

• Removing Muhyiddin

I argued that

If Muhyiddin stays as a party leader, the rebels will see it as a victory for them and it will encourage them to continue the fight.

I don't think Najib will let this happen.

But yesterday Najib decided not to act against his estranged party deputy.

He must had realised that the time was not right to sack Muhyiddin and his other critics at the party's highest level as the sentiment against him was still very strong.

Najib may also be aware of the danger of relying too much on DS Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the new deputy prime minister and Home minister, who is now the only one with the real capability and instruments to oust him.

After all, some of Zahid's people have of late becoming rather blatant in displaying their ambition.

Anyway, the hundreds of Muhyiddin's supporters, mostly from Johor who gathered at the vicinity of the party headquarters at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday may also reacted in an unprecedented manner should their leader be removed from his party posts.

I believe Najib has managed to buy some time to strengthen his position by not removing Muhyiddin now.

It was even reported that

Johor Umno grassroots praise Najib

But the fact that Muhyiddin remains as deputy president means the rebellion against Najib will continue with a purpose.

The 68-year-old leader was the rebels' only viable hope as Najib's replacement.

It was indeed a celebration for them yesterday.

I first saw this video at Apanama blog last night,

In case you are wondering what was that song they were singing, that's Johor Umno's anthem.

And this is what Apanama blog has to say about yesterday

Timbalan Presiden Umno selamat, Presiden Umno ikut 'lorong tikus'

The hardliners in Najib's camp must have been unhappy with their boss' decision not to decisively act against Muhyiddin and the other dissenters.

They had immediately after the meeting yesterday told their troops to ramp up the attacks against the rebels.

Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) appeared to be very well briefed as usual.

This is what he wrote just a few hours after the Umno supreme council meeting

Muhyiddin admits there is a conspiracy

excerpts,

What is interesting is that while Muhyiddin admitted that he is aware of the conspiracy, he did not explain why he kept quiet and did not bring it to the attention of the Prime Minister considering that the number two should be covering the number one’s back.

It is like a security guard at the bank telling the police that he was aware that a robbery was going to take place but he is not involved in the robbery — he just did nothing to stop the robbery.

What was the reason Muhyiddin kept his mouth shut? Did they threaten him that if he revealed the conspiracy then he, too, would be brought down? Or was he promised that if the conspiracy succeeds then he would become the beneficiary by taking over the job of Prime Minister?

Anyway, if they do go ahead with the plan to table a vote of no confidence against Najib in Parliament next month the answer to those questions would be revealed. If Muhyiddin refuses to join the vote then he is definitely not involved in or is part of that conspiracy. If, however, he joins the no confidence vote, then he is definitely with the anti-Najib group.

I asked my friend Wan Dal Cha, who is a pacifist in this ongoing Umno civil war for his opinion and this is what he said to me via Wassap;

Awal2 lagi (Immediately) someone in Najib's outfit has already tipped off RPK on some of the things discussed at the MKT (supreme council meeting). About a conspiracy. RPK fully intends to deepen the intrigue. And he is getting lots of help.

There was indeed an investigation. Semua orang tahu (Everyone knows that). It was not a conspiracy. And yes they briefed Muhyiddin as the second in command because the No 1 was being investigated.

The nation has gone past this particular phase. Move on..

Tak pa..pelan2..(It's okay. Be cool about it)