The formation of the Majlis Perundingan NGO Melayu (MPM) has precipitated an end game for Najib. His options in preparing for the 13th General Election - if he is interested in one - is now limited to the following:

1. Capitulate to the demands of MPM and strengthen his and UMNO's credentials as a Malay ultra party;
2. Take decisive but authoritarian actions to head off rising pressure from MPM ala Operasi Lalang (read accounts of Operasi Lalang here and here or view here);
3. Do nothing and be toppled from within UMNO.
4. Form a unity government with Pakatan Rakyat

Najib has painted himself into a corner as he cannot be supportive of both 1Malaysia and the demands of MPM, which, in a nutshell, is a coalition of Malay opportunists, supremacists and select Islamic fundamentalists.  A new logic to Malay rights is put forward by MPM - as stated by its spokesperson - that UMNO could not serve the interests of Malays as it was within a coalition with non-Malays. This contradicts the consensus that one of the key reasons that non-Malays are deserting Barisan Nasional is due to the rise of Malay Supremacy in UMNO.

By not addressing rising Malay/Islamic fundamentalism and thereby encouraging it, Najib is taking Malaysia into very dangerous territory. The specter of racial and religious violence is now a clear and present danger: thanks to Najib's  hands-off approach and tacit support from other senior members of UMNO to extremist groups such as PERKASA, MPM and non - action against Muslims who incite hatred against on - Muslims (read here). Furthermore, MPM's perverse logic where they claim that Malay rights are being challenged (which is baseless) incites Malay chauvanists further (read here). The reality is ofcourse, the fact that only UMNO supporters have benefitted from affirmative action and the UMNO led government, in general has failed Malaysians by failing to uphold the rule of law and has also demonstrates outright contempt for the legitimate rights of Malaysians (read examples on the caning of Muslim women, the Allah issue, the oil cash payment issue)

Furthermore, Najib's relentless attempts to break-up Pakatan Rakyat has so far proven to be limited - with defections to UMNO (BN friendly independents) mainly from PKR's Malay Members of Parliament with shady backgrounds are putting off moderate Malaysians, while his attacks on Anwar Ibrahim are also radicalising Malaysians, especially Anwar's significant number of die-hard supporters. 

Najib's best strategy - if he is actually interested in saving Malaysia - will be one from outside the box. He will need to form (at least) a short-term unity government with Pakatan Rakyat. Such a government would need to agree to the following principles:  (i) to head off rising religious and racial tensions, (ii) to stabilise the economy and (iii) a set date for the 13^th General Election.Then Malaysians can decide on which coalition should lead the country. Of course, Najib will have to revert to the rule of law and allow democratic process to take place. He will however have the support of Pakatan Rakyat and Malaysians in general and reforms measures will be more inclusive. 

Najib may take the easy option set by previous UMNO led administrations such as declaring Emergency Rule by his father's administration after ethnic riots (believed to be propagated by UMNO) in May 1969 or follow Mahathir and implement Operasi Lalang - a crackdown on his detractors - both within and without the party, to consolidate his power and put off the 13th General Elections until he has stabilised his party and the country. He would however have no legitimacy but then again, this is Malaysia.

Therefore, a Unity Government with the "Rakyat" to eventually decide who they want as Government would actually be in the best interest of Malaysia. Then Najib, together with Anwar will go down in history as returning Malaysia to a democratic trajectory.

This post first appeared in The New Mandala