©The Star (Used by permission)

• Dr M quits Umno
• Dr M cuts ties with Umno
• PM refuses to be cowed by ‘shocking’ decision
• PAS man lit the ‘resignation’ fuse
• Najib: I’m willing to meet Dr M
• A desperate plea to Umno
• Reconsider decision, Ka Chuan urges Mahathir
• Umno leaders shocked at move
• Ku Li: I’ll stay to fight Abdullah
• Dissatisfaction against leadership
• Nik Aziz happy with Dr M’s move
• 300 Merbok branch members take the cue from Dr Mahathir
• A contest of wills and wiles

“The news of Dr Mahathir’s decision is indeed upsetting, especially now when Umno is facing challenging times,” said Musa in a press statement.

“However, Umno members should accept his decision calmly and with an open mind,” Musa added.

He felt that the Umno leadership should instead focus on accepting the fact that the party was no longer as powerful as it used to be. Furthermore, Umno is not as widely accepted, especially by the Malays, as it once was.

The Umno leaders should also accept that the concept of “Mahathirism” is outdated. They instead should return to the concept of “Bersih, cekap, amanah” which was positively received by the nation in the 1980s.

Party members ought to reflect on recent events. Musa felt that Umno has strayed from its purpose and should take this opportunity to return to its roots.

“Umno is a party which is firmly grounded and does not forget to realise its promises to the people,” he said.

Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Aziz Tapa, 85, said that he was shocked at the news and was lost for words.

“How can it be when he (Mahathir) says that he loves Umno? I met him only few days ago in Johor and everything seemed okay. What he is doing is not right,” he said when contacted here yesterday.

Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik also could not come to terms with the news.

“It's shocking news to me. If true, then I would say that it is an interesting yet tragic development for the party,” he said yesterday.

However, both men said they were unable to comment much on the matter until a clearer picture emerged.

Dr M quits Umno

ALOR STAR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced he is quitting Umno, in what is seen as his final push to force Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister and party president.

His wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has also quit, according to his website www.chedet.com

Dr Mahathir also called on Umno members to join him in this radical move, which he likened to “removing gangrene” in order for the party to survive.

Except for two party veterans and one branch in the Merbok division, there were no other takers.

Abdullah, who expressed shock at Dr Mahathir's decision, however, reiterated that he would not give in to the pressure from the former premier.

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak offered to meet Dr Mahathir to “discuss the decision” to quit.

Dr Mahathir has been on the warpath against Abdullah since 2004, claiming his successor was unfit for the job and has stepped up his attacks after Barisan Nasional's disastrous results in the March 8 general election.

Dr M cuts ties with Umno
by Sira Habibu

ALOR STAR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit Umno yesterday in an apparent last-ditch effort to oust Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as party president.

Saying he was not joining any other party, the former prime minister added he would only rejoin Umno when Abdullah steps down.

His wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has also quit, according to a posting on his website.

He also urged Umno members including elected representatives to quit en masse as a sign of no-confidence in Abdullah’s leadership.

Dr Mahathir likened the radical action to “removing gangrene” to ensure survival.

“If we love Umno, we must be willing to dissect the party to revive it and to ensure its survival,” he said.

He announced his resignation during a question-and-answer session at a forum when a member of the audience challenged him to quit.

Dr Mahathir said Umno appeared to be only serving the interest of Abdullah and his family.

“I am not asking Umno members to join the opposition,” he said while speaking on the topic “The Position of Malays after the12th General Election”.

“I am not joining the opposition. I am suggesting this radical move to ensure the survival of the party,” he said at the forum organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall at a hotel here which was attended by more than 1,700 people.

Kedah Citizens' Action Group deputy chairman Ismail Wan Teh had asked Dr Mahathir if he dared to quit.

Dr Mahathir took this as a challenge and immediately said: “Yes, I’m quitting” which was greeted with loud cheers and applause.

Later at a press conference, Dr Mahathir said he would send his resignation letter to the party secretary-general immediately.

He said Abdullah appeared not to accept the message from the ground and accused the Prime Minister of destroying the Barisan Nasional coalition.

”Even members of the component parties voted against Barisan. I believe Pak Lah has ruined Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP and ultimately Barisan.

He said Abdullah placed priority on his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin and children, friends of his son-in-law on the Fourth Floor (of the Prime Minister’s Department), (Datuk Seri) Kalimullah Hassan (deputy chairman of the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd) and Brendan Pereira (former group editor-in-chief of NSTP).

He also said that the other alternative to save the party was through the ballot box.

“Get rid of 'yes men' who head branches and divisions. When we change leaders at the grassroots, we can effect changes at the top,” he said. The party constitution needed to be changed to prevent a president from abusing power and an independent group must be formed to advise the president.

Dr Mahathir also asked elected representatives and other Umno leaders to quit the party to restore democracy to the party. Asked if such a move would help Pakatan Rakyat form the Federal Government, Dr Mahathir said it would not happen if the elected representatives did not join the opposition coalition.

“MPs can quit the party, but that does not mean they automatically join the Pakatan Rakyat fold,” he said.

At 10pm last night, Dr Mahathir posted further explanations on his www.chedet.com blog.

“I am quitting because Umno now is no longer the Umno that was set up 62 years ago to fight for the Malays, Islam and Malaysia (Malaya).

“The Umno now only exists to support Abdullah, his family and actions and policies that are not in line with interests of the race, religion and country,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said he decided to leave Umno as he felt his participation as a member is “meaningless and no longer useful.”

“Because Datuk Seri Abdullah is blind and deaf and does not understand the message by Barisan members, because some Umno members have joined in, because the democratic process is not moving, because Umno now is no longer the Umno established 62 years ago, I find my participation as a member meaningless and no longer useful,” he said in his blog.

Dr Mahathir also said that he was no longer treated as an Umno member after he resigned as the Prime Minister in 2003. He claimed that he was not allowed to meet Umno members or to attend his speaking functions.

Dr Mahathir reiterated that Abdullah had believed that he was so popular and would have a landslide victory in the election only to suffer major defeat.

“It is unfortunate that the message that voters and Barisan Nasional supporters were trying to convey was not understood by Abdullah.

“He still says he has won. The people of Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Federal Territory find this difficult to accept,” he added.

Dr Mahathir’s fallout with Abdullah began soon after Abdullah took over, after the latter set aside and put on hold some of the former's policies. These included the policies related to national carmaker Proton’s sale of MV Agusta, approved permits for cars and the scrapping of plans to build a new bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore.

PM refuses to be cowed by ‘shocking’ decision

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he will not bow to pressure from former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resign as prime minister and Umno president.

He said he was “shocked and surprised” over Dr Mahathir’s sudden decision to quit Umno, calling the move a drastic action.

He also said the resignation and call to other members to quit would not shatter the party as Umno had over three million members.

“Maybe some will leave but I believe most of them still love Umno. I don’t know what Umno members are going to do but I would like to believe that the members will not leave,” he said.

He urged Umno members to be taat setia (loyal) to the party and stay strong to continue the party’s struggle just like when it was first founded, adding that Umno’s existence was due to member loyalty.

“I, as an Umno member, from the beginning until now, have never left the party and I will continue to fight for the party.

“Umno has contributed much to the country and the people of all races, and we want Umno to continue the struggle,” he said after meeting party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam here yesterday.

Abdullah hoped that Umno members would think carefully before making any decision.

He believed that the majority of party members would stay true to Umno.

“Leaving Umno means leaving Barisan Nasional, that’s what it is,” he said, adding that he also believed that those who were likely to quit would not be among the MPs.

He said this when asked to comment on whether the resignation of Umno MPs would reduce the number of Barisan MPs in Parliament.

Abdullah also said he did not see why he should quit as Umno president and prime minister, as he “still had work to do”.

On whether he would meet Dr Mahathir personally to advise him against his decision, he said: “Don’t ask me that question.”

He also refused to comment on Dr Mahathir’s statement that the latter would only return to the party when Abdullah steps down from his party and government positions.

PAS man lit the ‘resignation’ fuse

ALOR STAR: The man who challenged Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno is actually PAS member Ismail Wan Teh.

Ismail was wearing a non-governmental organisation’s hat when he asked Dr Mahathir if he would be willing to quit Umno as a sign of protest against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership.

Ismail, the Kedah Citizens’ Action Group deputy chairman, asked the question based on Dr Mahathir’s call to Umno members to resign en masse as a show of no-confidence in Abdullah.

Ismail asked if Dr Mahathir were willing to quit, as it would have a major impact on Umno.

Dr Mahathir who was probably not aware that Ismail was a PAS member, said it sounded like a challenge.

“I will leave Umno until Abdullah’s leadership is ended,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, who is Umno member number 000 0001, told a press conference later that he would rejoin Umno after Abdullah had stepped down.

Ismail contested and lost the Kota Siputeh state seat in Jerlun in the recent general election.

Najib: I’m willing to meet Dr M

by Zulkifli Abd Rahman

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt): Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is willing to talk to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his sudden resignation from the party.

Expressing shock and sadness over the former Prime Minister's announcement, Najib said he had met Dr Mahathir previously and that he was prepared to meet him again to discuss the decision.

Reading from a prepared statement, Najib said that Dr Mahathir was a respected leader and his contributions to the party and nation were invaluable.

Najib also said that he had contacted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the matter soon after news of the decision reached him here.

“I will continue to discuss with the party president on efforts to strengthen Umno and also the issue of leadership transition in the party.

“I hope all Umno members will stay calm and give support to our efforts to strengthen the party,” he told Malaysian reporters during a short meeting here while attending the World Economic Forum on the Middle East.

Najib, who is Umno management committee chairman, said he had also spoken to other Umno leaders on the issue, but declined to identify them.

Asked if Dr Mahathir’sdecision would prompt other Umno leaders to follow suit, Najib replied: “Wallah hu’alam (Only God knows). I don’t know.”

He said that, previously, problems which affected the party were discussed and settled within the party’s walls.

“Umno should remain the only party which struggled for the Malays now and for the future. We cannot allow internal issues in Umno to hamper our responsibility to the people.

“The Barisan Nasional has obtained the majority votes to lead the Government, and we should continue with our work for the people and resolve problems affecting the party,” he said.

A desperate plea to Umno

Comment by Joceline Tan

THIS is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's most dramatic move yet against his chosen successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

It sent shockwaves through the party because it was no small thing for a former Prime Minister and Umno president to quit this way, what more, when that person is Dr Mahathir.

The extreme move has taken his battle against Abdullah to a new level.

Dr Mahathir was basically telling the Umno body politic that his differences with his successor were so severe that he can no longer remain in a party led by Abdullah. It is also an ultimatum to the Umno grassroots that he will remain in the political wilderness unless they change the leadership of Umno.

It was what one Umno politician from Kedah called “Tun Mahathir's final rejection” of his handpicked successor.

The bombshell announcement was made at a gathering in Alor Star yesterday and the packed hall was stunned into silence for a brief moment before erupting into loud applause.

Still, there were mixed feelings among the Umno members, who made up the bulk of the audience.

Suraya Yaakob, the assemblywoman for Sungai Tiang, felt very uncomfortable with Dr Mahathir's decision even though she has long been an unwavering admirer.

“Tun wants to help Umno recover but the best way to do it is not as an outsider, but from within the party. I am begging him to reconsider his decision because I cannot bear the thought of a former Prime Minister being outside Umno,” said Suraya who was among the audience.

It was certainly not a spur of the moment move by the former PM.

Dr Mahathir is a very strategic and tactical man. He has his eye on the party's branch and division meetings which will begin in July. These meetings will set the stage for the election of Umno leaders for the next three years.

It is probable that he is using this radical decision to trigger debate and force the Umno grassroots to seriously evaluate Abdullah's leadership and to choose between Abdullah and him. If they want Abdullah as party president, then he has no choice but to be an Umno outcast, to perhaps even die outside of Umno.

Dr Mahathir's quarrel with Abdullah began two years ago over what he saw as the current regime's repudiation of his policies. The quarrel has escalated to a point of no return, especially after Barisan Nasional's losses in the general election.

“He seems to hate Pak Lah more than he loves Umno,” said Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad.

It is unlikely that other Umno leaders will heed his call to leave the party. There is too much self-interest at stake.

“Tun Mahathir still loves Umno. This is an ultimatum for Umno members to show their dismay with the leadership and return the party to its original purpose,” said Mahathir loyalist Zakhir Mohamed.

But his move puts his son Datuk Mukhriz, who has ambitions to be the next Umno Youth leader, in a fix.

Said Shahrir: “Tun Mahathir has asked other Umno leaders to resign and I suggest that Mukhriz follow suit. He should also resign as Jerlun MP since he won the seat as an Umno candidate.”

This is the second time Dr Mahathir has been outside Umno. The first was in 1969 when he was expelled for criticising the Umno leadership over the defeats suffered in the 1969 elections. This time around, he is equally critical of the party leadership for election losses but is leaving on his own accord.

Some say he was pushed to the edge by reports that he, acknowledged as the leader who transformed the country, could be dragged to court in connection to the V.K. Lingam video clip debacle. He saw it as a bid to “checkmate” him.

But his resignation is more likely a progression of his battle to unseat Abdullah. He had initially hoped that the Umno supreme council would move against Abdullah. When that did not happen, he tried to egg Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak against his boss but Najib did not take the bait.

So the next move was to play his final trump card – resign, paint Abdullah into a tight corner and force the party to make a choice.

Whether this gamble pays off, remains to be seen.

Reconsider decision, Ka Chuan urges Mahathir

IPOH: MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan has called on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to reconsider his decision to quit Umno.

Speaking at a press conference after a Wesak Day celebration at the Perak branch of the Malaysian Buddhist Association here yesterday, Ong said he was saddened by Dr Mahathir’s sudden announcement.

Barisan Nasional was currently facing a huge challenge and Dr Mahathir's decision would not benefit Umno and the coalition, said Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister.

As a former Prime Minister, his words carried weight and would affect people of all levels, he said.

“We do not hope for any more problems and neither should we create more,” Ong said.

“Our country needs stability and not uncertainty. His decision would create a bad impression for the rakyat and foreign investors.”

Ong said he hoped that well-respected party veterans with influence would step in to mediate for the benefit of Barisan and the country.

MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat described Dr Mahathir's announcement as a “shocking surprise”.

“This is going to make the prevailing political scenario more perplexing.

“I am hopeful that Umno has sufficient experience and maturity to address such problems,” he said.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said he felt that Dr Mahathir's decision was “a bit too hasty”.

“In my opinion, it is not good for the Barisan.

“Any unhappiness he has he should settle it within Umno,” he told Bernama.

According to the news agency, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu did not want to comment on Dr Mahathir's decision because it was Umno's internal problem.

Umno leaders shocked at move

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he was “shocked” by former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s quit announcement.

“I hope Tun will retract his statement and return to the party. We need him to strengthen Umno,” he said yesterday.

He added that he hoped all Umno members would remain calm.

“The matter will be discussed in the Umno political bureau’s management meeting,” he said.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he was surprised by the news, but added that every member had the right to leave the party.

Asked if Umno would convene an emergency meeting, the former Selangor Mentri Besar said “we will wait and see.”

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, who is in Singapore, declined to comment based only on media reports and said she needed to find out more.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it was irresponsible of Dr Mahathir to ask Umno’s elected representatives to quit as members as it does not benefit the party.

“At a time when Umno is making efforts to renew the spirit of members to gain support, this incident does not help,” he said.

“Umno is bigger and should be placed higher than the two individuals (Dr Mahathir and Abdullah). The Youth wing will ensure it protects the party’s interest at all costs.”

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was not timely for Dr Mahathir to quit Umno as it was going through trying times since the Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the last general election.

He added that Dr Mahathir’s move would not help in reconstructing Umno, which already had so many unsolved problems.

“He is doing more damage than good to the party; whatever it is, the party is still finding a new direction and we need everyone to remain united and not be split,” he said.

Syed Hamid expressed fear for the future of Umno because Dr Mahathir had broad influence and a person of his stature could rattle and destroy the party.

Asked on Dr Mahathir’s move being only to topple Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said now was the time to forget the individual and to save the party, which is facing difficult circumstances.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Dr Mahathir’s hatred for Abdullah was stronger than his love for Umno, otherwise he would not make a decision to quit and call Umno ministers and deputy ministers to follow in his footsteps.

Stating that Dr Mahathir’s move was not helpful, he added that the former premier should realise that by asking others to follow his move it would be easier for Pakatan Rakyat to take over the Federal Government.

“The people voted in the Umno MPs and if they were to quit then they would be considered independent candidates, similar to what happened to me in 1988 when Dr Mahathir did not allow me to join Umno Baru.

“What he is saying is that if you love Umno, leave Umno; it does not make sense,” he said.

Shahrir also suggested that Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir should follow in his father’s footsteps.

When contacted, Mukhriz said he was shocked to learn that his father had quit Umno.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the party leadership must begin efforts to rehabilitate the party.

He said Dr Mahathir’s resignation might divide the party and the Malays even further but the next few weeks would be crucial to see how many members would follow suit.

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said it seemed like history was repeating itself.

He said leaders like Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar left the party due to differences with the leadership at the time. He added that former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn did not join Umno Baru after the old Umno was deregistered in 1988.

“The three of them died without being Umno members and Tun (Dr Mahathir) must not do this too,” he said, adding that the former premier might regret his move later.

He added that whatever the problems they faced, the party stood strong and survived because others believed in the party’s struggle.

“It is about the party’s struggle; it is not about leaders,” he said, hoping that Dr Mahathir would reconsider his decision.

Federal Territory Umno chief Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said it was Dr Mahathir’s right to quit the party.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Umno was facing a family problem.

“Actions such as leaving the party will only weaken the party and make others stronger,” she said.

Fellow Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that although Dr Mahathir's resignation would be a big loss to the party, Umno members should remain steadfast as their loyalty was not to the leaders but to the party.

The Associated Press quoted Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as dismissing suggestions that the party would break up, saying Dr Mahathir’s departure “is not that important.”

“I welcome his decision. It is high time he left,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

“He is old enough to decide. He has every right to do it but he shouldn’t urge members to follow him. It’s up to the members.”

Ku Li: I’ll stay to fight Abdullah

by Nik Khusairi Ibrahim

ALOR STAR: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will remain in Umno to challenge Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the party presidency and also to clean up the party.

The Gua Musang MP also said he would never form a pact with the Opposition to set up a new government even if Umno was battered by internal conflict.

“I have my own party. Why must I quit the party? I will remain in the party to challenge the president (Abdullah) and will fight to clean up the party,” he said yesterday after opening a gathering organised by the Kedah Malay Unity Organisation.

He said he had no plan to work out a pact with Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I am not in contact with Anwar. There is no reason for me to form a pact with the Opposition,” he added.

Razaleigh said he was shocked by Dr Mahathir quitting the “new Umno” that he formed 21 years ago.

“It is a drastic move. He should not have done that. But perhaps he had no other option,” he said.

“He probably wants to send a message to party members to stop the ampu bodek (apple polishing) culture.”

Razaleigh said Dr Mahathir’s action might influence other Umno members to quit.

“This will have a far-reaching implication on Umno. But I do not want to speculate further,” he said.

Pressed if he would also quit the party eventually, Razaleigh said: “Dr Mahathir has made his decision, and I will make mine.”

Tengku Razeligh said he did not want to retreat in his struggle to save the party.

“I believe there is still a chance to repair the party,” he added.

Dissatisfaction against leadership

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must take note of the dissatisfaction against his leadership, Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman said.

“There must be something deeply wrong. It is not one person’s (Dr Mahathir) dissatisfaction or Sabah's ... if you talk to MPs from Sarawak or even Peninsular Malaysia, you'll see that they are unhappy, but because of party line, they keep quiet.

“I think it is time for the leadership to differentiate between self-interest and the interest of the party and nation,” said Anifah, who made it clear that he intends to remain in the party.

Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Dr Mahathir’s resignation was sending shockwaves because of his immense influence among Umno grassroots.

“I think the nation is in for exciting politics. I also believe Sabah MPs will now consider supporting Lim Kit Siang’s motion in Parliament today for a Royal Commission on the Sabah illegal immigrant problem,” he added.

Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh said that Dr Mahathir, as a veteran politician, had sent a message by quitting the party and it was another call for the leadership to listen to the voices within the party.

“They (leadership) have to listen and rectify. It is not necessary for Abdullah to resign but respond to the voices of the people,” said Ghapur, who added that he had no intention of quitting the party but wanted to see Sabah's needs attended to.

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said it was unbecoming of Dr Mahathir to abruptly quit from the party as it would trigger speculation among the people.

“My hope is that the Umno top leadership will make an effort to meet Dr Mahathir and thrash out the problems between them,” he said.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, who is Sabah Umno chief, is expected to issue a statement today, according to his office while Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said he would wait for further developments before commenting.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's journey in Umno

1946 Joined Umno.

1965-1969 Member, Umno Supreme Council.

Sept 1969 Expelled from Umno for disciplinary reasons. Re-admitted on March 7, 1972.

June 1972 Elected a member of the Umno Supreme Council with the highest number of votes. Lost in the election for an Umno Vice-President post.

June 1975 Umno Vice-President.

1977 Acting Chairman, Umno Liaison Committee, Malacca.

May 1978 Chairman, Perak Umno Liaison Committee.

Sept 1978 Umno Deputy President.

June 1981 Umno President.

July 17 1987 Umno Political Bureau Chairman.

Feb 16 1988 Pro-tem President of Umno Baru after Umno is declared an illegal society on Feb 4, 1988. Dr Mahathir's membership number is 001 as he is first party member of Umno Baru.

Dec 1993 Kelantan Umno Chairman. Chairman, Politics and Constitution Committees of the Supreme Council.

June 22 2002 Announced his intention to resign from all political and Government post at the final day of the 56th Umno assembly. Appeals from Umno Supreme Council members for him to stay on.

Oct 31 2003 Retired as PM and Umno president after 22 years.

Sept 2006 Fails in bid to be an Umno delegate for the Umno general assembly coming in ninth out of 15 contestants in the Kubang Pasu division.

May 19 2008 Quits Umno

Nik Aziz happy with Dr M’s move

by Ian McIntyre

KOTA BARU: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was the “happiest politician alive” after he was told that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had decided to leave Umno.

Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual adviser, however opened the door for Dr Mahathir to join the Islamist party because he was a strong leader with principles and a sharp mind, which would be beneficial to PAS.

However, he said it was not a formal invitation but Dr Mahathir should join PAS of his own accord.

He said the news would rejuvenate PAS members and “inspire” Umno members to leave, as the party was no longer relevant.

He said Dr Mahathir should have left Umno a long time ago and chosen Islam as the platform for his political struggle.

He said he admired Dr Mahathir for his intelligence and comforting speeches but the problem was that he followed secularism governance.

In Penang, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described Dr Mahathir’s resignation as a “gigantic political earthquake” for Umno after the “political tsunami’’ of March 8.

He said in a press statement yesterday the resignation was an “internal rivalry, which is part of the intense power struggle of disparate vested interests within Umno”.

He said the real issue for Umno was not how the power struggle would play out but about undertaking reforms to institutionalise democracy, uphold the rule of law and combat corruption.

“This is a choice between Umno moving Malaysia forward or taking the country backwards,” said Lim who is DAP secretary-general.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said in a statement Dr Mahathir’s call for all Umno members to quit but not join any Opposition party “clearly shows his true colours”.

“He is unabashedly prepared to ruin his own party which was responsible for him being Prime Minister for 22 years”.

Claiming that Dr Mahathir was a “gutter politician incapable of becoming a statesman”, Karpal Singh said he had employed “cloak and dagger tactics” to cause Tunku Abdul Rahman’s downfall after the May 13 incident and was now trying to destabilise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government.

300 Merbok branch members take the cue from Dr Mahathir

ALOR STAR: Some 300 members of the Jalan Badlishah Umno branch in Merbok are quitting en masse in solidarity with former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to leave the party.

Branch chairman Mej (Rtd) Anuar Abdul Hamid said members in the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings were also quitting.

Some 100 members of the branch had attended the event when Dr Mahathir suddenly announced his resignation yesterday and they were apparently so moved by his decision that they convinced the other branch members to follow suit.

“We will remain partyless until after Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down. We are not joining any other party,” Anuar said.

He said they are quitting because they love the party and want to ensure its survival for the sake of future generations.

Several branch leaders from Kubang Pasu said they were planning to boycott the coming annual general meeting.

Former Kedah Mentri Besar Tan Sri Sanusi Junid said he had quit Umno “long ago”.

Jitra branch chief Norsaid Yusuf said Dr Mahathir’s decision was shocking.

“I hope he will reconsider his decision,” he said. Dr Mahathir is a member of the Jitra Umno branch.

In Penang, former party supreme council member Tan Sri Khalid Abdullah, a staunch Dr Mahathir ally, also said he would quit the party, adding that three division leaders in Kedah would follow suit.

Khalid, 83, said: ”We all love the party but this is the only way for us to pressure him (Abdullah) to step down.”

A contest of wills and wiles

Ceritalah by Karim Raslan

MALAYSIA’s King Lear exits stage left.

“Die-lah, Karim. Pak Lah has declared war on Dr M.” Not bothering even to say hello, the man spoke quickly. His voice was low and it was clear that he’d been drinking.

“What to do, my friend?” he asked.

“Nothing-lah, Datuk. We just wait. We watch carefully and see what happens.”

“But Dr M is using the race card. This is not good. Nanti we all hancur. We all kena!”

“Datuk it had to come to this. This isn’t about Pak Lah. There’s unfinished business. It’s about ’98: it’s about Anwar and Dr M but if they’re not careful Pak Lah will be the one who pulls through.”

This is it. The mother of all Malaysian political battles. The contest of wills between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is like a Shakespearean tragedy crossed with pro-wrestling (only there are no rules and no referees). Both men are brilliant and charismatic - thriving on the kind of brinksmanship that unnerves mere mortals, witness Dr Mahathir’s surprise announcement yesterday that he was quitting Umno.

They are certainly not transitional figures like Abdullah. The ultimate prize for this battle that is ripping apart Malaysia’s fragile, outmoded national consensus? No less than whose version of what our future should and could be prevails.

The irony of all this is that their egotism may lead to the man they both despise, Abdullah, edging past them at the finish line.

But first, let me explain the Manichean conflict between the two men and their ongoing struggle for the Malay soul.

In one corner is Dr Mahathir. With strong echoes of “Che Det”, his famous teenage nom-de-plume, he remains as vitriolic as ever, lambasting the Malays for their continuing backwardness.

Judging from his recent rhetoric in Johor Baru, he remains the most powerful and unambiguous advocate for the “ketuanan Melayu” agenda.

On the other, we have Anwar: elegant and erudite if intellectually fluid, a man whose Obama-like oratory reaches to the heavens only to leave us confused by what he actually intends to do.

Still, having been pilloried publicly and then incarcerated for over six years he has emerged from prison as an icon: a man who suffered for us and is therefore, inexplicably “beyond” mere accountability.

The transgressions of his past have long been forgotten; which brings me to an important footnote. If Khairy Jamaluddin or any young aspiring politician is really serious about leading Malaysia they must show us the lengths to which they would sacrifice themselves for the national interest because as Anwar has revealed, a stint in prison has become “the” badge of honour, dividing the men from the boys.

Still, Anwar’s vision for Malaysia is enthralling and it offers a degree of hope for those disillusioned with the old order. His radical agenda envisages a nation governed not by racial antagonisms but genuine socio-economic concerns, in short, by class.

But this won’t be easy to bring about: how will he manage the ethnically segregated civil service and security forces? How can he resolve the grievances in Sabah and Sarawak? How will he tackle the issue of Malay rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution?

Sadly, Umno is missing from this debate about the fundamentals of our society. Having ruled unchallenged for so long they now lack the intellectual capability, the courage and the energy to lead.

Dr Mahathir understands this and like Shakespeare’s aging tragic hero, King Lear, he bemoans the faithlessness of his “wayward” children cum followers from Umno.

He knows how weak and indecisive they are and he knows the extent to which they fear change and the loss of their privileges. Indeed, his surprise resignation from the party is not unlike Lear’s angry exit from the safe confines of the palace onto the open heath in the midst of a tumultuous thunderstorm.

The question then is twofold: whose vision is best suited for the nation and, who can win over those blockheads in Umno?

Last month, as I watched Dr Mahathir on BBC’s Hardtalk, I couldn’t help thinking that he isn’t the man he used to be. Certainly he looked physically weaker, but more seriously his incessant attacks on Abdullah have taken a toll on his own credibility and standing – indeed the relentlessness of his fury had diminished him as a leader. One couldn’t help but draw parallels to his vilified Zimbabwean compatriot, Robert Mugabe.

Moreover it’s by no means clear if his obsession with the Malay agenda to the exclusion of all else (basically all “other” Malaysians including non-Muslim bumiputras) is wise strategy. Can Umno afford to alienate the non-Malays now? March 8 demonstrated that it does so to its own perdition.

Dr Mahathir cannot comprehend that the articulation of Malay rights has been debased by those who were tasked to lead the community.

With every ill-conceived mansion built by an Umno division chief, the party’s credibility sank further. Who in the right mind believes the pro-Malay rhetoric of Umno’s leadership now?

Which brings us back to Anwar and Abdullah.

Frankly, a return to the primordial world of Malay dominance is doomed to failure. Furthermore, recent electoral trends seem to suggest that many (if not the majority of) young Malays are equally sceptical of Umno’s self-aggrandising rhetoric.

At the same time, Anwar must prove that in his “restoration” he will be a Mandela-like figure, a force for reconciliation and not vengeance. If he can pull it off, then his accession to power will be enhanced.

For Abdullah and Umno the only viable option is straightforward: appropriate the reform agenda and “steal” Anwar’s policies. Saturday’s visit to the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields to mark Wesak Day whilst long overdue, was a crucial gesture.

So as two men fight for soul of Malay community, the man who has lingered in their shadows for so long may well come unto his own.

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