HAPPY FOR UMNO, SAYS DR MAHATHIR

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Dr Mahathir Mohamad is glad he was
wrong because he thought Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would not be stepping
down as Umno president and prime minister.

The former prime minister said he was surprised with Abdullah's
announcement Wednesday that the latter would not defend his Umno presidency and
would hand over the country's leadership.

"I am happy for Umno as the party can be rebuilt," he said when reporters
met him at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here.

Dr Mahathir who has been vocal in asking Abdullah to step down since the
March 8 general election, hoped Abdullah would not put any restriction and
obstruction during the transition period.

On whether he would rejoin Umno after March next year, Dr Mahathir said he
would do so provided those who left the party together with him were also
readmitted.

Asked what he thought Abdullah should do between now and March next year,
Dr Mahathir said: "Shut up."

Asked to comment on Najib Tun Razak as the possible prime
minister, Dr Mahathir said he was not impressed with Najib's performance as
deputy prime minister now.

Dr Mahathir described Najib as an incompetent deputy prime minister because
the latter did not have his own stand and was always following Abdullah's
advice, hence Najib needed to change when taking over the helm later.

On the possible candidate for Najib's deputy, Dr Mahathir said it should be
Muhyiddin Yassin, adding that the other current contenders for the Umno
deputy president post were "jokers" only.

Umno or United Malays National Organisation is Malaysia's largest
political
party and a founding member of the ruling National Front (Barisan Nasional - BN)
coalition.


-- BERNAMA