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Najib’s Sedition Act U-turn to safeguard Malay support, says veteran journalist

Zahid using cheap politics to defend 1MDB, says veteran newsman

Datuk A. Kadir Jasin lauded Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to retain the Sedition Act, saying that although the U-turn earned the ire of the non-Malays and liberal elite, it has pacified the angry Malays.

The former editor-in-chief of English daily New Straits Times said the Umno president may not be the savviest prime minister but he was experienced enough to know that he needed to stop the Malays from prying open his "Pandora’s box" and those scheming from within Umno for his overthrow.

"It’s not at all surprising that he made an about-turn on his promise to repeal the Sedition Act and promising to “perkasakan” (empower) the Malays.

"With last year’s 'Chinese Tsunami' showing no signs of letting up, Najib needs the Malays even more," he said, in his latest blog post today.

Kadir, who supports retaining the Sedition Act, said Najib was willing to sacrifice his popularity with the non-Malays in Barisan Nasional and incurring the anger of the liberal elite by doing so.

"This is a risk worth taking if the reward is ensuring his survival as Umno president and prime minister – at least until the next general election," he said.

Kadir said in making the decision, Najib must have been convinced that his popularity with Umno members and conservative Malays was declining.

"But on this, I am with Najib. I have never been in favour of his decision to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Emergency Ordinance (EO). The furthest I would go is to amend them to be in tune with current times," Kadir said.

After the U-turn, he said Najib might be stronger as Umno president, but warned that BN could lose more support among the non-Malays and the liberal elite.

"Najib would not have been in this mess had he consulted Umno and party elders before repealing the ISA and the EO, and announcing plans to do the same with the Sedition Act," he said.

Kadir added the results of the last general elections had shown that repealing those acts did nothing to help BN to win the elections nor did it make Najib more popular among the non-Malays, the liberal elite and the WOG (western-oriented gentlemen).

"These people were against the government not so much because of ISA, EO and Sedition Act but because of the opulence, extravagance, power abuse and corruption of the ruling elite," said Kadir.

He said at the same time, the non-Malays and the liberal elite did not help Najib’s dream of a moderate Malaysia when they started questioning and insulting the Malays and their institutions relentlessly on social media.

However, Kadir also cautioned Umno members not to accept Najib's word wholeheartedly for fear that he might still make another U-turn on them, in view of the opposition and their supporters who would be upset by the decision.

"They (Umno members) should be warned not to swallow their president’s promises hook, line and sinker. He may yet do another volte-face," warned Kadir.

Blinded by his transformation zeal, Kadir said Najib had misunderstood and miscalculated the mood of the people, including those of Umno members.

"He is driven by exuberance more than understanding... and he lives in a make-believe world created by his family members, advisers, special officers and consultants," Kadir said.

For now though, Kadir said Najib’s position in Umno remains unchallenged.

"The Umno masses have been temporarily pacified and his likely opponents disarmed.

"But the BN’s popularity with the non-Malays and the liberal elite might have taken another tumble." he added. – November 28, 2014