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COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

Work with me, not for me? History shows Umno leaders no longer want to work with him!

By now, even an idiot should know it's none others but Umno who had dumped Abdullah Badawi like plaque.

Abdullah went on record by saying that he would not defend his position as the Umno chief when the party election takes place in March 2009.

But he categorically didn't stay whether he would cease to become the Prime Minister after the party election. Those who think Abdullah will go down in history as the PM who serves the shortest term in Malaysian history -- some 65 months in all -- hold your horses.

History has a leaf that says a person can serve as the Malaysian Prime Minister without being a reigning Umno chief.

The late Hussein Onn is an example. He did not contest to defend his position as Umno chief when party polls were held in May 1981. He only made the official exit two months later, in July, and was effectively Malaysia's PM without being an Umno chief for as long.

Two months is too long in politics. But in the case of Abdullah, it's purely academic assumptions as the strongest of his supporters have capitulated before kingdom comes.

What are collateral damages that can happen as Abdullah bows out, speaking of situational probabilities?

Some say collateral damage may take the form of people who will migrate to Australia.

Some say with Najib taking over the premiership will see the return of Dr Mahathir's influence, and the return of Mahathirsm.

Yet, there is one real collateral damage that no one could ignore when push comes to shove.

5 bills in 5 months?

October 8, when Abdullah announced his no contest decision, he listed five initiatives -- which he named as his mission -- that he intended “to see through” in the next 5 months before time runs up in March next year, namely:

1. ESTABLISHING the Judicial Appointments Commission to enhance the stature of the judiciary;
   
2. ESTABLISHING the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission with greater powers of investigation and enforcement;
   
3. ESTABLISHING the Special Complaints Commission to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of enforcement agencies;
   
4. STRENGTHENING and enlarging the Social Safety Net to ensure aid to all, regardless of race and religion; and
   
5. HOLDING a Barisan Nasional convention to improve inter-racial and inter-religious relations.

He said he will table the related bills at the Parliament to realise the five initiatives he mentioned.

A day later, October 9, he promised to find a solution to controversial issues such as religious conversions and inter-marriages before he leaves office next March.

Does Abdullah really have the time? The current session of the Parliament sitting will come to a recess on December 11. Starting October 11, a total of eight days have been allocated for the debate of Budget 2009 and the passing of the supply bill, to be followed by replies by the ministries.

Another question is whether Abdullah can do in five remaining months what he could not in five years?

And the biggest question is, while trying to craft a leadership style of his own and to realign the power bases underneath, will Najib carry on with Abdullah's so-called reform agenda?

The Edge Financial Daily is of the opinion that Outgoing Abdullah’s pledge to reform key institutions must be applauded, but it could be a case of too little, too late.

Especially at a critical time when all of Abdullah's subordinates are too busy and too consumed in campaigning for their own well-being, jostling for power bases in the division-level party election.

That's the collateral damage for Malaysia... never mind there's an idiot who praised a lame-duck as Bapak Demokrasi Malaysia.