Ruling Party Dissidents Launch Frontal Attack On Enfeebled Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Ruling party dissidents in Malaysia launched a scathing attack Tuesday (1 Apr) on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying there is "something very wrong" with his leadership following disastrous election losses last month.

Led by former leader Mahathir Mohamad, about 2,000 party members gathered at a hotel conference room, in the most serious challenge to Abdullah's leadership since he took power in 2003.

The meeting's agenda was to analyze the unprecedented losses suffered by the ruling National Front coalition in the 8 Mar general elections. But it turned into a free-for-all session to bitterly criticize the 68-year-old prime minister, who is watching his grip on power weaken despite claiming to have the full support of his United Malays National Organization party.

It is the dominant component of the 14-party National Front.

"I call on him to resign. Anyone else would have done so already, but he is shameless," Mahathir said.

Mahathir accused Abdullah of failing to control rampant corruption, nepotism and cronyism at high levels, apparently referring to Abdullah's son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is believed to wield enormous influence in the government.

Mahathir ruled Malaysia for 22 years before handing power over to Abdullah in 2003. Although hand-picked by Abdullah, Mahathir is now the prime minister's most vocal critic. His son Mukhriz, a senior party official, also urged Abdullah to resign.

"We have reached a crossroads. There is something very wrong with our leadership, which is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," Mukhriz said to loud applause.

The open display of anger is a clear sign of the deep crisis in the National Front, which is reeling from its worst electoral performance ever. The coalition lost five of Malaysia's 13 states and its traditional two-thirds majority for the first time since 1969.

Mahathir said the message sent by the voters has not "reached the target. The target's eyes are not open. Maybe he has fallen asleep."

An Abdullah loyalist, Mohammed Khir Toyo, acknowledged the party needs reforms but said a leadership change was not necessary. He was bombarded with questions from the audience about whether Khairy had influence in choosing election candidates.

"There was some influence by some people," Mohammed Khir acknowledged, without naming Khairy, who has emerged as the focus of the party dissidents' ire and could become the reason for Abdullah's downfall.

The enfeebled Abdullah has postponed to December party elections that were set for August. Critics say he is trying to avoid losing a re-election for the post of party president. (By SEAN YOONG/ AP)