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KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Leaders of opposition parties were startled by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sudden decision to resign from Umno today but welcomed it.

In KOTA BAHARU, PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said although it caught him by surprise, he was the most happy by the decision as it would give PAS greater impetus to widen its political influence.

The Kelantan Menteri Besar said he respected Dr Mahathir as a statesman who was respected worldwide and a great leader who brought much progress for the nation.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baharu, Nik Abdul Aziz said he held Dr Mahathir in high esteem for standing up to the West over the issue of Palestine and Israel for the problems in the Middle East.

He added that PAS would welcome him if he were to join the party as his knowledge and experience could help bring it to even greater heights.

In PENANG, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Dr Mahathir's decision to quit Umno would be a gigantic political earthquake besetting the party after the political tsunami of March 8.

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said in a statement the development was part of the intense power struggle of disparate vested interests within Umno.

Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said he did not expect Dr Mahathir to take such an action.

"We expected him to influence Umno members to move a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister but not this. We will wait and see what happens next," he said.

Asked if PKR would invite Dr Mahathir to join the party, he said," It might be difficult as our idealogies are different, but we never know."

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