Malaysia's top politician admits ruling party has slipped into deep crisis after polls - AP

By Eileen Ng, AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia's ruling party has slipped into a deep crisis after its recent election debacle and needs strong leadership to carry out reforms, a top party official said Thursday.

"There are concerns that it might lead to a full blown crisis if it is not managed well," International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters.

Muhyiddin is one of the three vice presidents of the ruling United Malays National Organization, and his candid warning indicates growing dissatisfaction with the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the party's president.

"In any political party, you need a strong leadership to be able to move things through, to improve things and regain lost confidence," he said.

Muhyiddin, however, dodged a question on whether Abdullah could provide the leadership needed or whether he should step down, a demand that has become increasingly vocal in recent weeks. Leading the call is former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Muhyiddin would only say that party members have the right to call for a leadership change, adding that the party has slipped into a "very dangerous zone."

"It's a call which we will leave entirely to members. I can't forecast how it will be but we need to deal with the situation at hand. Members are in a daze ... they feel that they are lost," he added.

But Muhyiddin also said speculation over Abdullah's leadership could be detrimental to the economy.

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