PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's position looks wobbly.

Stung by the stunning losses (four states and the ruling coalition's two-thirds majority in parliament) in the recent elections, Umno is looking for ways to rejuvenate the party.

But who will be the one to attempt the final push?

One man has already started to stir the pot - senior Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has said he wants an open election for the top post.

And there is another man who may be a contender - International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. So far it looks like he has been hedging his bets.

Last Sunday, Mr Muhyiddin, who is also Umno's senior vice-president, supported calls for the divisional quota to be scrapped.

Under this provision, a potential party presidential candidate must secure at least 30 per cent of nominations from all the 58 party divisions. This makes it difficult to secure a nomination.

At the same time, he has told the media that speculation that Mr Abdullah would step down as prime minister was irresponsible.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohammad has named Mr Muhyiddin as a potential candidate for the Umno presidency. There is growing speculation in Malaysia that he will be one of the candidates for the top job if the quota system is scrapped.

SMSes have been flying around in Kuala Lumpur, saying he will be teaming up with Mr Razaleigh.

Mr Muhyiddin, however, dismissed these as an April Fool's joke.

'Whatever it is, it doesn't come from me and the words are not from me. Maybe some mischievous people want to do something,' he told reporters in KL on Thursday.

Most analysts think Mr Muhyiddin will not contest the top job. They think it will be Mr Razaleigh who will challenge Prime Minister Abdullah.

Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, told The New Paper on Sunday: 'Tan Sri Muhyiddin is very much an Abdullah man, so it is hard to interpret his move as a challenge to the prime minister.

'The situation is such that Mr Abdullah cannot possibly avoid a challenge from within, most probably from Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, and perhaps others as well.

'Mr Abdullah's chances are far from dismal against this Umno veteran who had once left the party.

'What an open contest for the party presidency will mean is that all posts, including the deputy presidency, will be up for grabs. This might be what Mr Muhyiddin might be hoping to take advantage of.'

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Associate Professor Mohammad Agus Yusoff agrees. He said: 'I don't think Mr Muhyuddin will contest as a candidate against Pak Lah. He is only conveying the people's message that the quota system should go and there should be an open contest.'

Prof Yusoff is of the view that it will be a contest with Mr Razaleigh. He sees Mr Muhyiddin coming in as deputy prime minister.

However, if one is to read carefully the statements that Mr Muhyiddin has been making of late, it is clear he is harbouring ambitions for the top job.

SOLID NETWORK

In the event of a close fight, Mr Muhyiddin might emerge has a compromise candidate.

Mr Muhyiddin is said to have a solid grassroots network. He also belongs to the old guard of the party.

He has a strong support base which he has built up since his days as Mentri Besar of Johor from 1986 to 1995. He continues to maintain this support base and many see his credibility and background as his strength.

On Thursday when he was asked by the media whether he will be aiming for a higher position in the polls, his answer was: 'I will contest but I didn't say what I will contest for.

'I want to see what I can do for the party. That is more important.

'I am considering how to save Umno, the Malays, Islam and the country... What is the point of being president when the party is destroyed and people don't respect us.'