Prime Minister under pressure Just days after Tun Dr Mahathir's defeat in Kubang Pasu, when the ruling elites thought they can sleep soundly once again, it must be galling for Pak Lah supporters to know that the crescendo of opposition to the current administration is pooling its voice in cyberspace as well as in the streets via the new tabloid Putra Post, sympathetic to the old man. Even a Barisan Nasional backbencher is raising embarassing questions for the Prime Minister, in Parliament no less. Old warriors such as Tengku Razeleigh, a political enemy of Tun, has also voiced his doubt about the veracity of the Kubang Pasu divisional elections which humiliated Tun. The whole scene harks back to the days of the Anwar Ibrahim sacking, when uncertainties hung heavy in the air. It feels like a similar environment is being recreated in 2006. The economy back in 1998 was in the doldrums and in 2006, the health of the economy is much questioned and debated by the man in the street. The key difference was that the Prime Minister then, despite being much-maligned, was a leader in the true definition of the word. His successor now has not inspired the same sense of confidence in the populace. His unconvincing answers to allegations of nepotism and cronyism in high places does not seem to be calm the choppy waters. The government seems more pre-occupied with ensuring its survival rather than concentrating on the bigger picture of executing the 9th Malaysia Plan and running the country. The following months may be a fire-fighting campaign, with a defiant Tun in fighting form.

There is total silence from the son-in-law; his boss in Umno Youth is sparring with MCA politicians over government allocation meant for Chinese schools, which has decidedly taken on a racial slant. The Prime Minister meanwhile is overseas talking about the virtues of Malaysian society while Malaysian society back home is decidedly split along ethnic lines, with politicians of different backgrounds barking at each other. 2006 is nearing its end, and Pak Lah's mandate as Prime Minister is nearing its end. Will he see out his term or will he be rudely awakened next year by forces within UMNO? This is one drama I'll pay good money to sit through the end.  ¶ 5:50 PM