Mahathir, 81, plans showdown with Malaysia PM
- From: cnw <cnw@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:12:00 +0800
Mahathir, 81, plans showdown with Malaysia PM
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-24 11:46
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad wants to attend a crucial
meeting of the country's ruling party in November, setting the stage for a
showdown with his successor turned rival.
Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad listens to a guest during the Global
Exchange Forum sponsored by the Malaysian Airlines in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in
this June 27, 2006 file photo. Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad said he
would end his stinging tirade against the current government if it agrees to
restart plans to build a bridge to Singapore.[AP]
In recent months Mahathir, 81, has launched a series of bitter attacks on the
government of his handpicked successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,
over a range of issues, including a decision to scrap plans for a bridge to
neighbouring Singapore.
Mahathir, Malaysia's longest-serving leader who retired in late 2003 after 22
years in office, still wields considerable influence within the United Malays
National Organisation (UMNO) headed by Abdullah.
"I am thankful that my name has been proposed as a delegate," Mahathir told a
gathering in his northern home state of Kedah late on Wednesday. "I give you my
assurance I won't pull out." UMNO, with about 3.3 million members, is the
backbone of the ruling National Front coalition that has governed Malaysia since
independence in 1957.
Under UMNO's system, only 2,292 delegates can attend the party assembly, and
even fewer are allowed to address it.
"I probably can't say anything," Mahathir told reporters, when asked if he
wanted to address the meeting. "If I am allowed to speak I will speak. It is not
certain yet."
The lengthy squabble between the two leaders has worried some investors, but
political analysts do not consider it threatens the government, with Abdullah
seen as holding an overwhelming popular mandate following a landslide election
win in 2004.
Last week, in the first government comments to so openly address the political
risks, Abdullah's deputy warned that a rift between the top leaders of UMNO
could split the organisation and threaten its rule.
"As long as we don't learn from history, we can repeat the mistakes," Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Razak said, according to news agency Bernama. "We don't
want the dark history to happen again in the party."
Abdullah is not due to call for general elections until 2008, but there is
mounting speculation he might call for snap polls in 2007, at the earliest.
These will be followed by UMNO party elections.
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