From now until November, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will receive all kinds of overtures and visits from both Najib Razak's and Muhyiddin Yassin's people, to lobby for their bosses to be the next DPM.

Whatever promises that the three of them make would be meaningless. The only difference now, after all three vice-presidents have made their unprecedented public declaration, is that the lobbying, exhortations, appeals, etc will be strictly behind closed doors.

Whoever he chooses will result in others feeling very unhappy and may result in dire consequences for Umno, as past experience shows.

Pak Lah should seriously consider Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz, as she is capable, senior and qualified. Moreover, it is Wanita members who work the hardest during an election. The men normally wait for the allowances and free dinners at expensive hotels, leaving the house-to-house visits to the women.

The only problem with Rafidah concern accusations that she and her family have gained huge sums of money through IPO shares and Approved Permits for imported cars. But then, who in Umno is not tainted? It is a very common factor among all Umno leaders, so when it comes to questionable levels of wealth, all are equally guilty.

If Rafidah is appointed, Pak Lah would buy time, because at her age, it is unlikely that she would move on to be the prime minister. By the time Pak Lah retires, things would be clearer, and the transition would be smooth.