Bingo Zahid

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WHEN Umno president cum Barisan Nasional chairman Zahid Hamidi dropped a stinging statement yesterday stating 'he won't be able to stop those wanting to join Anwar Ibrahim', it sent shockwaves and disbelief to some parties, including those who have been supporting him and Umno.
In a press conference earlier on the same day, Anwar said he already got 'the numbers' to remove Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister, and that he would have an audience with the King to seek consent of becoming the next PM.
Many described Anwar as giving a fresh injection to his infamous 'September Move' which he launched some years ago, a platform to install him as the No.1. However, it has ended in despair for him and Parti Keadilan & friends.
Of 'the numbers' he mentioned, some would be from Umno Members of Parliament (MPs), DAP, Sabah and Sarawak.
Zahid, in his immediate response to it said Umno will not stop the MPs from joining Anwar to from a new government. To me, Umno had tried to keep them after losing the 14th general election but failed. In simple words, if they want to leave, they'll just leave and if they wanna join Anwar, they'll just go.
However, Zahid statement drew fire from the blind spot politicians and Umno members. They accused him of loosing grip on the party and that he cannot negotiate with them (MPs) not to join Anwar 'The PM Ikat Tepi' (as labelled by social media activists).
Zahid was accused of wanting to sabotage his own party and being closed to Anwar (at one time), he will give his blessing.
Walaweyyy! I chuckled myself!
Many didn't realise and understand his message clearly and to whom it was addressed. To me, he was hinting at another party, that if Umno MPs leave and join Anwar, 'YOU ARE KAPUT!'
For sure he still has a strong grip on the party. In politics, you must have the right strategy, and his stinging statement is a strategy to test the loyalty of those MPs and grassroot members.
Those who understood his message will support it and commend Zahid for having 'balls' in making such a statement. Barely five minutes after it was published, I received many calls to confirm it as it carried no Umno letterhead.
Calls and Whatsapp messages went on for hours from friendly and unfriendly parties who wanted me to narrate the 'untold stories' behind it. I just said 'just take it as a statement and it's up to you to digest it'. Yup, some were positive, some negative and not few came to a nought.
As Umno president who didn't make it to the No.1 position, Zahid is free to say anything. With some of his MPs in the PN Cabinet (didn't the Cabinet was formed with the support of Umno MPs?), Zahid's bombshell was meant as a reminder to some people and also to test the loyalty of the said MPs.
As the general election is around the corner, I don't think the MPs will join Anwar. Zahid will have the final say in the list of candidates, unless if some of them want to contest as PKR or Independent candidates.
The big picture is, Zahid holds the key to the Cabinet formation! To those who have been taking him and Umno for granted, should be first to understand it. Full stop!

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