Now here we have a prime minister who was educated by missionary brothers in St John’s Institution and went to the University of Nottingham which have crucifixes on every steeple and wall — and that has not altered his faith as a Muslim. And while he is espousing 1Malaysia wherever he goes, there are the likes of Ibrahim who want to cosy up to him yet, spew rhetorical divisive venom.

Terence Fernandez, The Malay Mail

LET’S be honest. The prime minister is in the fight of his life. In an interview with The Malay Mail in December, Datuk Seri Najib Razak acknowledged that going into GE13 is not only the biggest challenge of his political career, but also in his 59-plus years of existence!

Truth be told, he needs support from all sides to win. But it appears that his biggest obstacles to gaining the mandate he needs, and whom many say he deserves, appears to be within his own party and administration.

There are many examples to cite. From the top of one’s head, the Christmas open house in 2010 where he was the guest of honour comes to mind. Here, a senior officer from his office instructed the hosts at St John’s Cathedral to remove all religious signs and ensure there was no singing of hymns.Jingle Bells was fine.

Then there is so called “supporters” or BN-Umno friendly NGOs like Perkosa — sorry I mean Perkasa — and its head honcho Ibrahim Ali (whom I’m ashamed to say is from my beloved home state of Kelantan) who incite people to burn Bibles!

Now here we have a prime minister who was educated by missionary brothers in St John’s Institution and went to the University of Nottingham which have crucifixes on every steeple and wall — and that has not altered his faith as a Muslim. And while he is espousing 1Malaysia wherever he goes, there are the likes of Ibrahim who want to cosy up to him yet, spew rhetorical divisive venom.

One is sure Ibrahim was just making political speak and never intended to burn anything but his bridges with the non-Muslim community. But the fact remains that his association with the present ruling coalition will damage the later’s chances with non-Muslim voters at the polls.

Then we have political partners who have been tainted by allegations of abuse of power and graft. These individuals should do the right thing and step aside instead of clinging on to power.

It is akin to a child caught with his hands in the cookie jar but not only denying it — but demanding another piece.

Of course, the reality of politics is that some of these politicians are powerful allies who can deliver blocks of votes hence, political expediency demands that they be tolerated — but for awhile.

However wether the voters will be able to stomach this impunity is another matter.

We also have administrators who act contrary to the interests of their political masters.

The chaos on the streets during the Bersih 3.0 rally is one, where the on-going criticisms of highhandedness of the police is going to resonate with some at the polling booth.

And closer to home The Malay Mail is now being investigated for criminal defamation for carrying reports on the death of a young woman in a police shooting, in Klang last month.

While it may be within its rights to probe us, our stand is that it is intimidation and an attempt to silence the Press.

The fact that I received calls from the Prime Minister’s Office querying on that matter, reflects the concerns at the top.

And while the 100-or-so armed invaders in Lahad Datu are being given a taste of Malaysian hospitality, our authiorities kick out an Australian senator merely because he seems to be cavorting with the Opposition.

Again, the law is completely on the government’s side.

Unfortunately, the spirit of the law is often ignored, hence the accusations of selective persecution.

Najib, with all his efforts — drum beating and all — has received kudos from a large section of the Malaysian public. As an individual leader, he has the best chance of regaining his two-thirds. But my take is, it will not happen.

“In Najib we trust” was our headlines on Friday. While this may be true for many, sad to say the same cannot be said for some of those who are expected to be his close allies and right arm.

But the prime minister did say in the interview to “give me a chance”.

Let him have his mandate and see the reforms that will take place.

One is eager to give him that chance. The only nagging issue for me is the words of Najib’s predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when I interviewed him in 2008.

“So what if I get 90 per cent of the mandate? If Umno does not want me, what can I do?” I want to believe that Najib is made of sterner stuff.