Leader Launches Bitter Attack On Predecessor Demanding PM Resignation

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's embattled prime minister launched a bitter attack Sunday (6 Apr) on his predecessor, longtime premier Mahathir Mohamad, marking a new low in relations between the nation's two most prominent political figures.

Mahathir has repeatedly accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of nurturing corruption and cronyism over the past two years. He is now demanding Abdullah's resignation after the ruling coalition performed poorly in March 8 general elections.

Abdullah has insisted he will not step down as prime minister or party leader anytime soon.

Abdullah signaled Sunday that his patience has worn out by making his strongest public criticism yet of the retired leader, a towering political figure who hand-picked Abdullah to succeed him in 2003 after 22 years in power.

"He is strong, but that strength is being abused," Abdullah told a news conference.

Abdullah warned that Mahathir's constant condemnation of his policies could destroy the ruling United Malays National Organization party. Mahathir, who commands wide respect, urged party members last week to openly rebel against Abdullah.

The Malay party is the linchpin of the ruling National Front coalition, which retained power in last month's elections. But the coalition lost its traditional two-thirds majority and, more significantly, conceded control of five states to the opposition.

Mahathir claimed voters snubbed the National Front because they were unhappy with Abdullah.

Abdullah on Sunday accused Mahathir of hypocrisy, saying he too had upset the public by imprisoning anti-government critics without trial and curtailing press freedom during his rule between 1981 and 2003.

"These were all his orders from time to time," Abdullah said.

Some politicians have suggested the government should now investigate Mahathir for alleged abuse of power. Abdullah declined to say whether he agrees, but added that nobody would be above the law if there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

Responding to Abdullah's remarks, Mahathir told reporters at a separate event that he sensed "a conspiracy" in the government to discredit him.

"They are trying to find the wrongs of others to defend their own wrongs," Mahathir said. "Yes, we should be united but to what purpose? ... If someone has a gangrenous leg, we don't say we should support it. We amputate it to save the rest."

On Sunday, Abdullah also criticized Razaleigh Hamzah, a party lawmaker who recently kicked off a campaign to oust him, and Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's leading opposition figure.

Abdullah said Razaleigh was selfish while Anwar had false hopes of becoming prime minister.

Anwar "calls himself a leader-in-waiting," the prime minister said. "He can wait. I'm the leader today."(By SEAN YOONG/ AP)