Majority Of Umno Members Will Remain Loyal To My Leadership, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he will not give in to pressure by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resign as prime minister and Umno president.

The prime minister said he was confident the majority of Umno members would continue to remain loyal with the present leadership.

Abdullah, in his reaction to the former prime minister's sudden announcement Monday that he was quitting Umno with immediate effect, however admitted that his predecessor's decision would have some impact on Umno, with some members following Dr Mahathir's move to leave the party.

"I hope the majority of Umno members will continue to remain loyal to Umno as it had contributed immensely to the Malays, the country and all the races," he told reporters after launching MSC Malaysia Sarawak Initiative at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Abdullah, who was shocked over the sudden announcement by Dr Mahathir, who has been an Umno member since its formative year in 1946, hoped party members would remain calm in facing the latest development in Umno, the backbone of the Barisan Nasional (BN).

"I was shocked when I heard Tun's decision...I think when Tun has made a decision, he doesn't care anymore," he said.

Dr Mahathir, an Umno life member, dropped a bombshell at a political forum in Alor Star that he was quitting Umno with immediate effect as he had lost confidence with the present Umno leadership for failing to protect the rights and interests of the Malays.

The former Umno president said he would only return to the party after Abdullah stepped down as prime minister.

Abdullah said: "If this is his decision, then Umno members should remain calm. We must realise that as party members we must be loyal to Umno to see our party emerge strong to pursue the founding struggles.

"What is going to happen to us if we don't have a party. Umno had contributed immensely to the Malays, the country and Malaysians of all races," he told a packed press conference.

Asked whether Umno would be adversely affected and members might decide to follow Dr Mahathir's move, Abdullah said: "I'm not saying it will not have any impact at all, maybe it will (some members may quit Umno).

"It's our love for Umno that gives us the strength and vigour to pursue the party's ideals," said Abdullah who succeeded Dr Mahathir as prime minister and Umno president.

In the face of the latest development in Umno, Abdullah was confident that BN members of parliament would not leave the coalition to embrace opposition parties, adding that Umno and BN component party members must remain calm and united at this crucial time.

"Maybe some may quit the party but I think it will not happen. Umno MPs will not leave the party. Perhaps, grassroots members may or may not leave Umno.

"What's important is for us to think whether we want to quit Umno. If we no longer want to be with Umno, then there is no Umno spirit in ourselves.

"As for me, I will continue to remain with Umno and I hope Umno members will remain steadfast with the party.

"If they want to be strong, there is no logic or reason for them to leave Umno. That's my belief," he said, adding that Dr Mahathir's decision to quit Umno would be discussed at the next meeting of the supreme council, Umno's highest decision-making body.

BERNAMA