KOTA BAHARU:
The move by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno has given momentum to the proposal by Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to garner support to contest the post of Umno President in the Party elections in December, according to the Kelantan Justices of the Peace Council. Council President Datuk Shukri Mohamed said Dr Mahathir’s move was an expression of his concern for the credibility of the leadership of Umno and the country. Sukri, who is the former Barisan Nasional (BN) Member of Parliament for Machang, said Dr Mahathir’s move should be viewed seriously because the former Umno President could be looking at things on a wider perspective. Tengku Razaleigh is travelling the length and breadth of the country to appeal to Party members to support his bid to contest the post of President. Meanwhile, PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have asked Dr Mahathir to join them, now that he has decided to quit Umno. PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail extended the invitation to Dr Mahathir. Abdul Hadi said he always welcomed Dr Mahathir or other Umno members to join PAS. Dr Wan Azizah said PKR’s doors were always open for Dr Mahathir if he was interested in joining the Party. Dr Mahathir on Monday announced his decision to quit Umno, saying he had lost confidence in Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and that he would only rejoin the party after Abdullah had stepped down as Party President and Prime Minister. - Bernama
