Post-Abdullah Umno... Mahathir early loser...

Is this what Malaysia will be when the Son-in-Law reaches 40 years of age? Quote Debra Chong of Malaysian Insider -- scene last night:

And then came the moment everyone was waiting for — the pronouncement of the new Youth chief. It had been an intense fight all the way and it was anybody’s pick of which of the three, Khairy (affectionately known as “KJ” to his admirers), ex-Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo, or the one who had led in nominations, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

The tension was palpable.

When the MC called out Khairy’s name, the crowd went wilder. The dam burst. His supporters were raucously yelling “KJ! KJ! KJ!” repeatedly while pumping their fists in the air.

All of a sudden from the sidelines, several groups started chanting “Rasuah! Rasuah! Rasuah!”

Believed to be the disenchanted cheerleaders of Mukhriz, they quickly surged from all directions towards one corner of the hall to confront the Khairy faction.

From above, the entire floor looked like a fight between two colonies of fire ants. [...]

On the sideline, a red-eyed man in songkok, the Umno white baju Melayu and checquered sarong pelikat, was overheard exclaiming: “This is the end. We’re going to lose all three by-elections.”

http://www.jeffooi.com/2009/03/postabdullah_umno_mahathir_los.php

Scene today: Dr Mahathir Mohamad was supposed to be an invited observer to Umno 2008 which opens today and in which Abdullah was to sing his swan song.

He didn't show up.

But Abdullah starts to have his last laughs by thanking Dr Mahathir, in prime time live telecast, for appointing him as the DPM in 1999, and then making way for him in October 2003.

“Terima kasih, Tun, ‘’ he said.