BEING in election mode appears to have made for a more ruthless Najib Razak.

For much of his political career, the prime minister has been accused of being too cautious. The less charitable have used the word “indecisive” to explain his tendency to wait and wait… and not act.

But government officials and Umno insiders noticed a change in the PM. With an eye on the next elections and keenly aware that they will be hotly contested across the nation, he has been more prepared to use the levers of power to put his political opponents under pressure and cut the source of funding from segments of the business community to the opposition. 

He has also made it clear that he views loyalty as a key qualification to fill in senior positions in government-linked companies (GLCs), and has been more willing to push back on candidates offered to him by GLC chiefs and sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

For example, The Malaysian Insight understands that Mohammed Shazalli Ramly was Najib’s pick as the new managing director and group chief executive officer of Telekom Malaysia Bhd. He was formerly the Celcom Bhd chief executive.

In the past, Najib often yielded to suggestions and recommendations by GLCs, believing that they were best qualified to make personnel decisions. 

But with a general election expected to be held later this year and the government needing state agencies and statutory bodies to pull in the same direction as Putrajaya, Najib has been ready to offer his list of candidates for senior positions. 

Perhaps nothing shows this ‎new streak of decisiveness than the decision to appoint Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as a minister of special functions.

On the face of it, it appeared to be a promotion of sorts, or at least an endorsement for his cousin as someone to be reckoned when political succession is discussed. 

Naturally, Hishammuddin’s supporters have been elated with this appointment and political pundits have been quick to write an epitaph for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Najib’s anointed successor.

But highly placed sources told The Malaysian Insight that Najib firmly believes that his tandem with Zahid gives him the best chance to win the 14th general election (GE14).

He is confident that his deputy can be relied on to garner up to 40% of the Umno vote in GE14, given his strong networking and popularity with the rank and file.

In contrast, Hishammuddin doesn’t command the influence among the party rank and file that Najib needs. He does not work the ground as well as Zahid.

Indeed, he would be hard-pressed to regain his position as one of Umno’s vice-presidents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if party elections were held today, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri and Education Minister Mahadzhir Khaled would poll ahead of Hishammuddin.

As special functions minister, Hishammuddin will be expected to travel extensively overseas and strengthen Malaysia’s relations with key partners. In effect, he would function like a second foreign minister. 

But a key point about this appointment is that he is expected to be out of Malaysia for a period of time, leaving all preparations for the elections to be handled by Najib and Zahid.

The PM is clear that Zahid is a greater asset on the ground in Malaysia while his urbane cousin can be useful outside the country.

It is understood that Najib will use Umno’s 71st celebrations on May 11 to rally party members for the elections and make clear that Zahid is the man he wants in the trenches for possibly the toughest battle Umno has ever faced.

The upshot is simple. Najib wants to keep power and every option available will be used to make sure that happens. And every supporter is valuable in this fight for Putrajaya – be it politician or corporate chief. – April 16, 2017.