I don't know if you have heard the news yesterday about former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad quitting the ruling UMNO party in protest over the leadership of his successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.This was announced by his son adding that Mahathir announced his departure during a speech Monday in Alor Star,the capital of his home state Kedah.
Now Mahathir is no stranger to the country of Prime Minister Abdullah himself.He ruled Malaysia and the dominant United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) for 22 years until 2003 when he handed over to Abdullah,his hand-picked successor.However in recent times he has been a vocal critic of Abdullah's administration and since disastrous March general elections,which produced UMNO's worst ever results,has actively campaigned for him to step down.Prime Minister Abdullah of course have said over and over again that he has no plans to step down,even after Mahathir quit the party.It now looks like Mahathir will not be the only one qutting the party.In fact,he was quoted as urging all UMNO ministers and party leaders to follow him by quitting the party,and return only when Abdullah has departed.
When I first heard the news yesterday,I was not entirely shocked but I didnt saw it coming.With a reputation that Mahathir has,it wasn't that surprising to hear his decision to quit UMNO but I wonder whether his decision to quit will only do more harm than good for Prime Minister Abdullah and the UMNO party as well.We all know that many Malaysians have already lost their trust and confidence in UMNO,judging by the recent general elections and I dont know if Mahathir's actions will help to restore the lost confidence.I dont know who to blame for the current situation.Is Mahathir at fault for being the one who hand-picked Abdullah as his successor or do we put the blame on PM Abdullah for his weak leadership.I think its time for Mahathir to stop interfering in PM Abdullah business and let him do his job peacefully.It will only add more pressure on Abdullah if he continue to ask Abdullah to step down,which is highly doubtful.
Mahathir is a hugely influential figure in the country and in the party as well,so I expect more party members to follow his action to quit UMNO.If there are too many of them,then I guess PM Abdullah has no other choice but to step down because he have not only lost the faith and confidence of the Malaysian people but also the people in his party as well and you cant do much if that happen.Currently the situation in Malaysia is a truly divided one.I dont really know if Malaysia has change much since PM Abdullah took over but you cant really compare it with Mahathir's record because it has only been about 5 years or something and the situation now is much tougher.At the same time,I feel sorry for PM Abdullah.I don't think he is a bad leader but I think its because he has not been able to deliver much progress as quickly as the people want to see it happening.The people in UMNO should be unified and not divided if they want to rise again.If they are divided,it will only work in the way of the opposition parties.
Im no expert but that is how I think of the current situation.I doubt Mahathir will come out and apologise for asking Abdullah to step down or join back UMNO if PM Abdullah is still in power for the next few months or even years.Its a battle between Mahathir and Abdullah,the teacher and the student,and it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.
*The report was taken from AFP.
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