Dr M's Quit Decision Draws Varied Reaction - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The sudden decision by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno today has received all kinds of reaction with many saying it would not help resolve the problems the party is currently facing.

Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said apart from not helping improve the situation in Umno it would give the opposition "more ammunition".

"The prolems in Umno should be seen as a "family matter" and resolved in the family spirit," she said in a statement here.

Dr Mahathir announced his quit decision at a lunchtime gathering with about 1,000 Kedah Umno members in Alor Star and said that he would only return to Umno if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badwai steps down as the prime minister and Umno president.

In KANGAR, the Perlis Umno liaison committee urged Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

Its information head Datuk Hashim Suboh said if there were weaknesses in the party, these were leadership problems and not the fault of the party, which Dr Mahathir had built to be strong and respected.

"The grassroots gave the party leadership and the government a clear message in the March 8 general-election and efforts to rehabilitate Umno has started.

"As such Tun (Dr Mahathir) should not run away but continue with his fight to put Umno back on the right footing," said Hashim, who is also Kangar Umno deputy chief.

He added that if Abdullah was the problem, it was better to let the party's processes to take their course.

[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333969]