Son of Hussein Onn vs Son of Mahathir?

The knives are out for Mukhriz Mahathir as Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein Onn comes under the gun to prove his loyalties.

Yesterday, Hishamuddin said the youth exco would meet after the Cabinet has been formed. The exco, he said, will discuss Mukhriz’s unsanctioned action of writing a letter to Pak Lah suggesting he steps down as Prime Minister.

A few days ago, Pak Lah told the press Umno Youth would be dealing with Mukhriz. In response, Hishamuddin then told newsmen Mukhriz had written the letter in his own personal capacity, i.e. it wasn’t Umno Youth’s business.

Now Hishamuddin is singing a different tune, calling Mukhriz’s letter ‘irresponsible’. Obviously, he has been ‘spoken to.’

The son of Hussein Onn versus the son of Mahathir Mohamed: is this the showdown for which we’re headed?

In ordering this execution, Pak Lah may be inadvertently choosing his successor (leaving wannabe successors like Najib Tun Razak completely out in the cold.)
Warring leads to the taking of sides. The taking of sides leads to a consolidation of power base. The icing on the cake: massive publicity for the warring factions, the winner taking the lion’s share.

Mukhriz has his support. He is not Mahathir’s son for nothing. In 2004, he won a seat in the Umno Youth exco polling the highest number of votes, pushing Pirdaus Ismail to second place. Pirdaus is considered an Umno strongman and was sent to battle Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for Permatang Pauh in the general elections. He lost. Mukhriz, 44, won his Jerlun parliamentary seat by a 2,200-odd majority.

But is Mukhriz strong enough yet?

Hishamuddin on the other hand, purely on the strength of his lineage and being a good son who knows which side his roti canai is buttered, is firmly entrenched in Johor. In the elections he won his Sembrong parliamentary seat by more than 11,000 votes. Not only has he been Umno Youth chief since 2004, he’s also done the rounds serving as head of Umno Youth’s economic and information bureaux and spearheading the Barisan challenge in Johor Tenggara. In short, he’s been around the block a few times while Mukhriz is the new kid.

The conclusion however is far from being forgone. Many an Umno youth chief has never made it to the top post of party president and hence Prime Ministership. Anwar Ibrahim is one. Najib, who was party youth chief in the 90s, is still waiting in the wings.

So far, only two Umno leaders have piped up over the chastising of Mukhriz business: Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim who wants Mukhriz sacked, saying ‘such a person is unfit to be a national Youth leader; and Selangor Umno Youth chief Shukor Idrus who basically told a press conference Mukhriz was ‘uncouth’ to have written the letter and circulated its copies to other party leaders.

How many leaders will back up Mukhriz, how many Hishamuddin?

On July 10, 1981 Mahathir Mohamed made Hussein Onn resign as PM. Wouldn’t it be funny if history repeats itself.