Saturday May 31, 2008 MYT 7:41:07 PM

Form independent group, Dr M tells Umno MPs

By MANJIT KAUR and JOHN JEBANESAN

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that Umno MPs form an independent group instead of crossing over to the Opposition if they are dissatisfied with the present leadership.

Dr Mahathir said crossing over to the Opposition was wrong, as they would be subjected to opposition policies and would not be able to determine anything.

“You will be an ordinary member, but by forming a separate group, say at least 35 of them, this will cause the Government to collapse and the current Prime Minister will have to resign.

“Then if PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tries to become the Prime Minister and if the votes go to him and then if Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak have the guts to step in, the 35 MPs can give their votes to him.

“When he (Najib) becomes the Prime Minister, Barisan Nasional remains in power, and it will be no lost to anyone except to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,” he told a press conference after delivering his speech during a forum “Suntikan Semangat Satria” at a hotel Saturday.

The event was organised by three non-governmental organisations known as Minda Melayu Kreatif, Kelab Cinta Amanah Melayu and Arena PJS14.

He was commenting on Anwar’s claims that certain MPs from Sabah were expected to “jump ship” by Sept 16.

Asked if he would relinquish his positions in several companies and government agencies including the positions as Proton and Petronas advisors upon his decision to quit as an Umno member, Dr Mahathir said he did not see why he should do so.

“It may be an option, if I feel that I have to do so. But I prefer if they kick me out."

“Actually this is not related to me being an Umno member, as all past retired Prime Ministers are given jobs, and in the past we never took away their jobs even though they ceased to become Umno members,” he added.

On whether former PKR youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor was a “Trojan horse” for the party (PKR), Dr Mahathir said in politics everything was possible.

“He may be that (Trojan horse) but what I do know is that Anwar is anxious to be supported by Umno and he may want to join Umno at some stage, if he can become the Prime Minister,” he added.

On the International Court of Justice’s decision of giving the ownership of Pedra Branca to Singapore, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia did not send a competent team unlike Singapore.

Malaysia's Mahathir dismisses opposition claim
31 May, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday dismissed de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's claim that he can soon form a new government, easing worries about a change in rule that has unnerved markets.

Anwar had said some ruling coalition lawmakers were ready to join the opposition, giving it enough support to form a new government by September.

Concerns about a possible change in government coupled with a challenge to the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi have cast a pall over financial markets in recent months.

But Mahathir brushed aside Anwar's claim, reversing his earlier view that the assertion should not be taken lightly.

"He's not likely to get support of MPs coming over," Mahathir told reporters after giving a talk attended by about 400 people.

"That is what he claims. He makes a lot of claims. We will see in September."

The opposition Pakatan Rakyat -- a loose alliance of Islamists, a Chinese-based party and Anwar's multi-racial group -- won a record 82 seats in the 222-seat lower house of parliament in the March general elections. It needs just 30 seats to win a simple majority and form the government.

Mahathir's remarks come as Abdullah meets lawmakers in the eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island, where unhappy MPs have indicated they are ready to leave the ruling coalition if their demands are not met.

The former premier also repeated calls for lawmakers to leave the ruling coalition, and chided members of the main United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party for fearing to speak out against the party leadership.

"I find UMNO members are afraid of doing anything," he said. "I have suggested that if they are not happy that they leave and be independent."

After months of public criticism against Abdullah's leadership, Mahathir has stepped up pressure for him to quit following the March poll which saw the ruling coalition recording its worst-ever performance in its 50-year rule.

Earlier this month, Mahathir resigned from UMNO in an attempt to force Abdullah to step down, saying he would not return to the party until the prime minister left office.

Mahathir also said a move by former opposition figure Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor to rejoin UMNO could be an opposition ploy.

"In politics everything is possible," he said. "He may be that (Trojan horse). Anwar is quite anxious to be supported by UMNO."