Not too long ago before the 308 election AAB was talking about serving till 2020 and beyond. He mentioned his vision for 2057, and was aiming to be PM till earliest 2027. He saw TDM’s formula and wanted to emulate his staying power. He believed that when NEP with a 20 year term could be extended at will, it costs him nothing to promise all the reforms on whatever ills TDM had created, but he retains them to his advantage.

Time has changed. The vast amount of government funds have produced more thinking Malays than they would want to admit, for the sake of keeping NEP. At last, pride among the Malays as the late Tun Ismail anticipated has descended on true Malays. They realize that those who masquerade as members of their community have exceeded their bound of decency, and they want change.

AAB should have decided right after taking office whether he wanted money, or a good name in history for releasing Malaysia from hell through reform. He should realize that when he is in heaven with his money in banks, he will not get to use them. But with his name well remembered in history book, he will be in people’s fond memory when he is in heaven.

Could he have stayed longer than the five years if he had started reform since 2004? He might not stayed longer beyond December 2008 when there was no transition plan to effect the three month extension, but he would have finished all the reforms needed, rather than giving another empty promise on the eve of his departure. Besides he will be remembered as one who chose to do the right thing and lose the position, than one chased out by his predecessor who did not even have official position five years after his departure.

///Could’nt do anything for 5 yrs but going to do it in 5 months..///—teacher

If he had started to do what he said he wanted immediately after 308 election he would have shown some progress, and he might be believed to require more time. But he was concerned with safeguarding his position in UMNO. Through cheat and bluff from either side, the 2010 deadline was agreed. His deputy got the option to gain party position, and AAB broke the inertia of losing his staying power.

AAB claimed that he wanted to give an undivided party to his deputy, and thus decided that he would not defend his party position. The premise was there should be no election on the top two positions in the party; both President and deputy president should have no contest. But the moment AAB announced his defeat there were at least four serious contenders to the Deputy post. AAB would still be handing over a divided party in March, except that he was not involved in the election. It is clear therefore that if his current deputy decides to go for the position of president without AAB giving up, the only difference would be that all positions in UMNO are contested, and the contest for the position of the deputy post will not be any more intense. Is AAB suggesting that he and his current deputy have not the maturity to stand in an election and accept the results gracefully? Otherwise, it is clear that AAB has been trapped by his stubbornness or stupidity in adhering to TDM’s quota system.

It is clear that AAB was not concerned about the effect of the UMNO election, but he had to save face to create the impression that his exit was a variation of his transition plan. A transition plan would have involved certainty of outcome, where the current deputy will inherit the post without a contest. But all posts are subject to contest now except that AAB has not the courage to stand, and Ku Li might not be qualified for short of the required quota of nominations. So AAB is clearly forced out of his position without a contest.

AAB claims that he needed 5 months to do what he could not do in five years. Had this been said by people who responded to the election results and acted on reforms, then the person might be credited with the knowledge and sincerity to respond to accountability. As it is, sound bites and actions are divorced, and the only reasons he wanted to stay till March 2009 is summed up as gimme three months more (in TDM’s words)