This will probably come as a surprise to Malaysian readers, and will probably also be one of my most unpopular writings.

Nevertheless, I am an academic and a Muslim, and holding grudges and demeaning people are not in my character and value system.

As an academic and as a Malaysian, I feel that it is my responsibility to ask Malaysians to consider Azmin Ali as a viable PM for our country.

When I wrote my previous article Who, after Anwar, many people were taken aback at my suggestions and analyses.

For me, this is an important question. To be a Malaysian PM cannot be any Tom, Dick or Hadi, but a person not only of intelligence and compassion but one who knows how to snake around the corridors of the country’s civil service as well as sit down and stare down the political warlords of many parties.

Most Malaysians are naïve to think the likes of intellectuals like me can be a PM for Malaysia. I have many ideas for our country, but I will be the first to academically say that I will not make a good PM for Malaysia at this time, when inheriting the post would mean inheriting all the baggage and garbage from 40 years of misrule.

So, you need a particular person who is not so much involved in corruption (sikit-sikit ok lah for Malaysia, we have to be realistic), a person who has not insulted our communities like a certain Umno young buffoon and is shrewd enough to beat his own bosses and come out on top in politics.

That person is Azmin Ali.

I hope Bersatu members reject Muhyiddin’s formula of remaining in power.

Muhyiddin and Hamzah know that Azmin Ali is the most capable leader who can be a most viable candidate for the PMship of Malaysia.

I do not think that Malaysia will be safe with Hadi, Hamzah, Muhyiddin or any other, when Anwar is no longer PM.

I think Azmin Ali could be the game-changer for us.

Why my change of heart after criticising Azmin for the Sheraton Move and the Emergency Declaration?

Well, I have always been more than just an academic, or maybe I am an academic who knows that social science research on Malaysian culture must take into account the politics of the day.

I have a knack of political readings after 25 years of intently watching the goings-on of the nation.

Why am I willing to forgive, but not forget? Hey man, what is so surprising? All of us voted for Tun M to be the PM for the second time! Need I say more?

The Malays have a saying: kalau tak ada rotan, akar pun berguna. In the case of Tun M, kalau tak ada rotan, yang tua pun boleh guna!

Malaysia is a unique and interesting country. We can be so gullible and yet we all can be so insulting to others and leaders. But we are all practical people.

When Anwar was mistreated so terribly, Malaysians still voted for Tun M. Practical. When the country was mismanaged by Umno, we still voted for a former Umno President as our PM. Again, pragmatic.

So, why not be practical and pragmatic and accept that Azmin Ali may be the best candidate for PM? Do you seriously want Zahid or Hamzah. Habislah kita semua!

So, what are my reasons for voting for Azmin Ali as our future PM?

Firstly, PH will lose the next election because Umno will side with the PN to form a huge Melayu block.

Come on! Umno will never change. Do you think the likes of Akmal and Tok Mat will change? I don’t think so.

I mean no disrespect to the two leaders in Umno. I am just being an academic and under no illusion about loyalty to race, individual or religion.

Sorry guys, we have to be practical and realistic. Only Azmin can manage the Malays, Islam, Sabah and Sarawak, and civil servants of our country — if PN comes to power.

My brain works mostly in the academic a deconstructive, reconstructive and over-constructive mode 24/7. My heart is ruled by Islam and the Rukunegara.

Why should we forgive Azmin Ali for the Sheraton Move and the Emergency Declaration? Well, my answer is, we don’t forgive him but we must move forward practically.

In a war, you need to put your bet on the most important general who knows how to win and fight the war despite some of his ‘other sins’. Like Jesus says, those without sins should throw the first stone!

For me, Azmin Ali has never insulted the non-Malays, and that is important.

People like Akmal and Hishammuddin needed to insult and terrorise the non-Malays in order to gain votes.

Azmin has never done that, to my knowledge. So, that says a lot about the man for Malaysia.

Another quality of Azmin is that he was both trained by the Old Man and by Anwar.

Anwar and Tun M, to me, represent the very best of Malay leaders hands-down. Anwar is floundering now because he does not have the killer instinct that Tun M has. But Azmin does!

Finally, we have seen how in the issue of the Menteri Besar of Selangor, how Azmin came on top despite being sidelined by his own leaders and companions in the party.

Now, that is some hebat chess move. To be PM of Malaysia, you need the shrewdness of the snake, the intellect of the mousedeer in Malay folklore, and the courage of the lion. Azmin has all of it!

I think Malaysia can be safe in Azmin Ali’s hands if PN comes to power.

Sorry guys, we have to be practical and realistic. Only Azmin can manage the Malays, Islam, Sabah and Sarawak, and civil servants of our country.

For Bersatu members, even though I may not be their favourite writer and commentator, please reject Muhyiddin’s plan and vote Azmin Ali as president. He is our possible future PM for Malaysia.

(Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at a local university and his writing reflects his own personal opinion entirely.)