Why is everyone surprised over the outcome of Umno's recent elections? Fine, Pak Lah's men have been wiped out, delegates turned deaf ear to his presidential message, new stooges with old agendas have taken to the stage. But really, so what?

The fact of the matter is the countdown for Anwar Ibrahim to become the next prime minister began the moment he walked out a free man. No wonder the Umno assembly went haywire this time around with Pak Lah's men being shown the door.

Anwar's release could also be the reason why Umno deputy president Najib Razak and his men are suddenly racing against time. Maybe it's time Najib stepped up his pace for Pak Lah has already increased his rhetoric on anti-corruption.

He just threw a challenge to the corporate sector to improve transparency and accountability. What if the corporate sector turned the tables and threw back the same challenge to him? To Umno? To the government? Wouldn't that invite complications for Najib and his men?

Whatever the scenarios, it would seem that poor Pak Lah is not going to last as long as expected. Our country's next premier will either be Najib or Anwar.

But let's not forget Mahathir who is still seen to be calling the shots from behind Pak Lah's back. Why not? Mahathir needs Najib to keep himself protected from the sins of his past. His hopes on Pak Lah to do this were dashed when the latter instead called for the end of corruption and money politics.

Mahathir's confidence in Pak Lah dropped further when the new prime minister began to push for reforms to clean up the mess left by the previous administration.

Mahathir's corrupted lieutenants still in the government are increasingly feeling the heat, too. Pak Lah's personal agenda to portray himself as a clean leader is now clearly going overboard and getting out of hand, they mutter.

Previously, Malaysia was equated to Mahathir. Now they worry Pak Lah seems to be doing the same - Malaysia is Pak Lah and Pak Lah is Malaysia!

The Mahathir-Najib equation worked admirably well at the last assembly. They acted fast. Their key people were at right places at the right time to win hands down. And all the rest fell into place.

Notice the delegates' lifestyle when they attended the Umno assembly? Where did all that money come from? So much for their complaints of not getting a share of the economic cake. What nonsense. When money politics reaches dazzling new heights in Umno, it just means the gambling stakes for the 'taukes' behind the curtains just got a little higher.

Those who still see Pak Lah as hope, better re-evaluate their choice. They must learn to read between the lines, see behind the stories, look at the back of the pictures. It is the same sandiwara over and over again. Why are we still surprised?

Umno is at its weakest point ever. All Anwar has to do is organise a credible working opposition team and stage political puppet shows for the next five years on Malaysia having a practical two-party system.

He must tell PAS and DAP to behave or be written off. The next elections could be their final chance. The Barisan Nasional will crumble with Umno as the money termites by then would already done most of the job.

One last point. Where are the files of the 18 other 'big wigs' that the Anti-corruption Agency was supposed to have been investigating?