Najib plan might work, but not without costs

From the Malaysian Insider:

The PAS deputy president, in a statement today pointed out that Najib was following the tactics of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad closely when he boldly removed his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Tuan Ibrahim, who also called the new line-up a pro-1MDB Cabinet, warned Najib that the scenario now was different than in Dr Mahathir's time due to the existence of online social media.

Dr Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister, replaced his deputy three times with Tun Musa Hitam resigning in 1986, Tun Ghafar Baba in 1993 and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was sacked in 1998.

He said that during Dr Mahathir’s era, there were also various financial scandals such as the RM30 billion loss in foreign exchange trading in 1992, Perwaja Steel and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), but managed to stay in power for 22 years.

“Let us not fall for drama put together to divert our attention from 1MDB. The new Cabinet is a pro-1MDB Cabinet. Whatever it is, PAS will continue to fight Umno and its tyranny against the people,” he said.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najibs-political-survival-reason-for-muhyiddin-sacking-says-pas-deputy-pres#sthash.kQa5Xt0P.dpuf

 Najib seems to have learnt well from Ex-PM Mahathir in terms of consolidating power, but Mahathir can follow through with his consolidation on power.  When he consolidated, he enacted bold monetary reforms which stemmed capital outflows.  Mahathir kept GDP growth rate at a blistering pace.

Najib, I doubt has this tenacity.  In the next 2-3 years what will he do to change public perception?  I'm not sure it is possible.  He knows Dr. M's tactics well, but his personality does not jive with the tactics.  Mahathir is electrifying when it comes to action, Najib is not.

However, Najib will probably stay in power unless something drastic happens like 1 million people taking to the streets.  He has delayed elections, both UMNO and the General Elections, and his cabinet actions may be enough to delay or cover up investigations into scandals uncovered by the press.

His tactics might work for now, but people will remember.  No one can forget GST especially.  He can survive, but so far people haven't seen he is capable.  The way Najib conducts himself, he must be waiting for a magical fairy to appear and save Malaysia.

What are the costs?  Lost time for BN to get itself back on the right track.  The next general election odds for BN failing has gone up.