JUNE 4 — An ultimatum would normally be issued by either of the warring sides prior to the war. It is served to inform the opposite side that we have enough of you and this is the last chance for you. If you don’t accept it, we are not going to be nice with you.
Before the first Gulf War, George Bush issued an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein: Withdraw from Kuwait or face the war.
Saddam did not believe the Allies would really strike, so he had to suffer the terrible consequences.
Before second Gulf War, George W Bush also issued another ultimatum to Saddam: Surrender your weapons of mass destruction or face the .
In the first place, Saddam did not have any weapons of mass destruction to surrender. Secondly, he thought the Russians would back him up. So he was again uncompromising. And we all know what happened next.
As a result, ultimatums are not to be overlooked for goodness sake.
Here in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Razak also issued a statement during the cabinet meeting, and could that be an ultimatum to his cabinet colleagues?
He said any minister not on his side in the handling of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) should quit on his own accord.
Those knowing the prime minister is well aware of his gentle approach in tackling things. He is a compromising type of leader that will try to avert confrontation through amicable consultation in resolving a crisis.
Some say this is his merit, an attribute that has won him widespread acceptance. But some also say this is his shortcoming, for it makes him look indecisive and weak.
Whatever it is, this time the PM has toughened himself up. From the way he countered Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad’s onslaught to his stern warning in the cabinet, he has made it very clear that he is not giving in, even though it means a war is imminent.
According to insiders, all the ministers lowered their heads and stayed mum after hearing him.
Sure enough DPM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not included, for he was in Australia and not at the meeting.
Utusan said that was Najib’s ultimatum, while tourism minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz tried to cool things down, saying it was not an ultimatum.
But, the reality has been displayed before our eyes: Stay with me or leave!
Prior to this, Muhyiddin was seen as being on pretty close wavelength with Mahathir with regard to 1MDB. The former has urged the PM to sack all of 1MDB’s directors while arguing this was the last straw that would break Umno’s back anytime.
Pointing straight at Najib, Muhyiddin said this could have a serious bearing on the Umno/BN administration.
If dissident voices are heard even within his own team, it is a matter of time Najib will lose his prestige to lead, complicating things further in resolving the 1MDB issue.
If he doesn’t handle this matter urgently and decisively, the problem will snowball into a powerful force against him, from rival parties, Mahathir to his own party and administrative team.
Harmony and compromise are no more the priority choices when things have gone this far. Survival is the keyword here.
This ultimatum has also laid out some conditions for Muhyiddin: He has to accept Najib’s leadership and stand alongside his boss in 1MDB and other issues, or expect a civil war within Umno soon.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the view of the Malay Mail Online.
