Anwar: Umno beyond repair
Malaysiakini.com
May 20, 2008 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to quit as a lifetime member of Umno is an indication that the crisis within the party is worsening, said PKR
MCPX
de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

anwar ibrahim and mahathir argue fight“The internal problems... are clearly deteriorating beyond any hope of recovery,” he said in a statement today.

The crisis has led to protracted bickering among Umno leaders, while the welfare of ordinary Malaysians continues to be neglected, he said

As such, Anwar, a former Umno deputy president, urged all concerned Malaysians to join PKR or other parties in Pakatan Rakyat to ensure a stable and prosperous country.

Mahathir announced his exit yesterday from the party he had helmed for 22-years, in protest of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership.

lim kit siang 030606DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog today that Mahathir’s sudden decision has raise three immediate questions.

•    Was it the direct result of the cabinet decision on the Lingam Video Clip Royal Commission of Inquiry report directing the attorney-general to investigate Mahathir and five others for any offences committed by them?

•    Was it part of a larger grand plan to escalate pressure both inside and outside Umno to force Abdullah to step down as prime minister and Umno president?

•    Was it an act of desperation at his failure to influence events in Umno so far?

Lim added that these questions would be answered in time.

Fanning racialism

PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim also theorised that Mahathir’s move was “merely his reaction” to the government’s decision to probe those involved in the Lingam Tape scandal.

salehuddin hashim interview 110408 smileSalehuddin did not elaborate, but warned Malaysians that there would groups out to threaten national security by abusing communal sentiments.

“The internal bickering of the Umno elite has now been engineered to spill over to all levels of the party, causing Umno to lose the focus and credibility necessary (for) the leading party of the Barisan Nasional government,” he said in a statement.

“It is strange to see those who purportedly seek to build Malay unity today sow the seeds that will only divide the nation further. Umno has clearly lost all standing to speak convincingly of harmony.”

Mahathir, who called on other members to emulate him, said he would only rejoin the party when Abdullah steps down as president.

Abdullah is continuing to resist pressure, and has called on party members to show their loyalty by remaining in Umno.

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