Najib Worried About 'Structural Split' In Umno.

With Dr Mahathir showing no signs of letting up on his attacks on the PM and the government, I can't blame Najib if the question of a split in Umno has crossed his mind. Being at a vantage point as DPM he is privy to information that we aren't, and if he cautions Umno members of a structural split, they had better stop and listen.

He said that a split must be avoided to ensure Umno remains strong and continues to be the backbone of the country's administration, adding that such a structural break-up would cause the Malays to lose power. He said history had shown that structural splits had occurred in Umno in 1987 which had led to the de-registration of the party and in 1999 following the the sacking of then deputy president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and as a result the party had lost many seats in general elections."As long as we don't learn from history, we can repeat the mistakes. We don't want the dark history to happen again in the party," he said.

"If the top (leaders) cause trouble, it will break the structure," he said and called on all leaders at various party levels to constantly strive to strengthen the party.

These are wise words that Umno leaders and members had better heed. Even a powerful party like Umno is only as strong as its weakest link, and Dr Mahathir knows all the weak and vulnerable areas. For good or bad, a strong Umno has provided stable governance and leadership since Merdeka, and it is in no one's interest to see the demise of this premier political party at this juncture. Therefore it is adviceable for all those connected to Umno, not to rock the boat too much, lest it tilt, capsize and sink.