|
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's ruling party accepted former leader Mahathir Mohamad's resignation on Thursday as government lawmakers snubbed his call to leave with him in a bid to force a leadership change.
Mahathir dropped a political bombshell on Monday by announcing he was quitting the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. He said he would rejoin if Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resigns.
But after a four-hour emergency session that ended early yesterday, the party said Mahathir is free to leave. Abdullah has repeatedly said he will not quit immediately.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said that the party will accept Mahathir if he wants to come back but will not bow to his demands. He said Badawi has the full support of lawmakers from UMNO and its junior partners in the ruling National Front coalition.
"We do not anticipate an exodus from UMNO. Our party members are very loyal. Any problems will be resolved within UMNO," he said after a meeting of the top party leaders. Abdullah sat next to Najib at the news conference but said nothing.
"We have accepted the decision because it is his desire to leave the party. But we hope that he will return one day," Najib said.
Despite the show of support, many political analysts say Abdullah's days are numbered.
His troubles began after the National Front, dominated by UMNO, was delivered its worst electoral result in history during the March 8 general elections.
|
