PM's reaction: Shocked at Dr Mahathir's resignation, didn't expect Dr M to leave but says he'll continue to fight for the party By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 – When former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced his resignation from Umno, it hardly elicited any surprises from the ground.
Pulai MP and former exco member of Umno Youth Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed laughed and said, "I'm not surprised. It's like a curse. Almost all the Umno presidents eventually leave the party because they disagree with their successor, from Datuk Onn (Jaafar) to Mahathir. Tun Razak was spared because he died early."
However, he was unable to explain his lack of surprise, hypothesising that it could be due to Umno's "institutionalised" structure. "Maybe certain decisions made during their tenure come back to haunt them. I'm talking about Mahathir," he mused.
On Mahathir's call to all Umno ministers, deputy ministers and other party leaders to join him in quitting the party, in protest of the present leadership, Nur Jazlan said that it was irresponsible of the former party president.
"I think that call is quite irresponsible of him. It's like a disobedient child when he said that he will only come back when there is a change in leadership. Datuk Onn left because he wanted to form a multiracial party. Tunku (Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj) left because Dr Mahathir split the party. But with Mahathir and Pak Lah, it's personal. What Mahathir does will not encourage party members to leave the party," Nur Jazlan elaborated.
OTHER RESPONSES
Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, Umno stalwart and former Information Minister:
"I told myself, he (Mahathir) is going to quit the party. And then this afternoon, he quit. But to me, it's not unusual."
On Mahathir saying 'I will only come back to the party when there is a change in leadership.' — “When the second president (of Umno, Tunku Abdul Rahman) quit, he never joined Umno Baru. And he is not the only leader to have left the party. Now, to me, Mahathir leaving the party is not unusual. The others left on principle. This one is personal. He appointed Pak Lah there (as his successor to the post of party president and prime minister). I think he's testing the ground. He's hoping to get people on his side.”
On Mahathir's call to party leaders to quitting the party — "I do not think that will happen. Malays still love the party. They were disappointed at the last elections, but they still love the party."
Tony Pua, Petaling Jaya Utara MP and DAP member:
“He hasn't quit Umno to join the Opposition, that's for sure. What he's on is a personal vendetta with Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi). Rightly or wrongly, he's looking to kick out his successor. He himself has said that he's only leaving the party until there's a change in the leadership.
"The fact that he specifically maintained that he will return to the party once Abdullah leaves reduces the impact of his decision. He's just suspended himself from the party; his move doesn't change.
"Of course, I am interested to follow the proceedings, but more because of the impact on the rest of the country. Assuming Abdullah does resign, who is going to take over and what will happen then?"
On the economic impact of Mahathir's announcement — "I think as far as the investors are concerned, this is merely an ongoing process of the aftermath of the March 8 elections in seeking a resolution for the country."
Liew Chin Tong, Bukit Bendera MP and DAP Youth committee member:
"I don't know what game he's playing. It's between him and Pak Lah. But I'm interested to see what Mukhriz (Mahathir's son who's planning to contest the position of Umno Youth chief) will do next. Not to see if he quits, but to see how they will force the hand of Pak Lah to hold snap elections.
"I also heard that Sanusi (Junid) has quit. And Shahrir (Abdul Samad) also said that Umno might be forced to hold snap elections. Those close to Mahathir but still want to contest for positions to challenge Pak Lah from within. It'll be interesting to see that."
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