MAHATHIR REJOINS UMNO

PUTRAJAYA, April 4 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad Saturday rejoined United Malays National Organisation (Umno) after having resigned from the party almost a year ago.

The former Umno president handed his application form and the RM2 membership
fee to Prime Minister Najib Razak at Sri Satria, the official residence of the
deputy prime minister here, at noon.

After that, Dr Mahathir's wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and their son
Mokhzani also handed their forms and fees to Najib.

Najib expressed his thanks to Dr Mahathir for having returned to Umno to
continue with the party's struggle.

"I believe Dr Mahathir's return will provide a strong impetus to Umno and
can help in the rejuvenation of Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN)," Najib told
reporters.

He said that as a statesman, Dr Mahathir could play a meaningful role in
helping to restore the people's confidence in Umno and the BN.

Najib, who is Umno president, also welcomed the return to Umno of Dr Siti
Hasmah, saying her services to the party and the country could surely be of
assistance to the role of women in the future.

Dr Mahathir had resigned from Umno on May 19 last year, saying he had lost
confidence in the party which he had led for 22 years.

"Although I was out of Umno, my heart and soul were in Umno," said Dr
Mahathir, adding that the criticisms he hurled at the party were with the
intention to strengthen it and not destroy it.

Asked about him having rejoined Umno previously during the era of second
prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein and rejoining now during the era of Razak's
son, Najib, as the sixth prime minister, Dr Mahathir said: "That family
link was not something intended."

Dr Mahathir was expelled from Umno on Sept 26, 1969 during the era of first
prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman for having criticised the party leadership.
Tun Razak had welcomed Dr Mahathir's return to Umno in 1972.

Two other children of Dr Mahathir -- Mukhriz and Mirzan -- were also present
at Saturday's function.

Asked what role he would play in the party now, Dr Mahathir said he believed
that a leader should help Umno after he has retired and not isolate himself from
the party after retirement.

On him taking up possible posts in Umno or the government, Dr Mahathir said
positions were unnecessary and added that he was prepared to give his views if
necessary.

Asked about the impact of Dr Mahathir's return to Umno on the by-elections
in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, Najib said he believed it would have a
positive effect which would be well received by Umno members.

Najib said this was evident at the Umno general assembly last week when
party delegates gave a resounding welcome when Dr Mahathir made a surprise entry
at the gathering.

Dr Mahathir said the biggest challenge for Umno now was to revive the image
of the party which had taken a beating in the last few years.

Asked whether he would continue to be vocal during Najib's administration
just as he had been during former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's
administration, Dr Mahathir said: "I was critical whenever Umno went wrong."

At the handing over of the Umno application forms, Mokhzani had forgotten to
attach the RM2 membership fee.

When asked by Najib, Mokhzani found he had no small change and Mukhriz came
up with the money, causing Dr Mahathir to remark "This is money politics", which
left everyone present in stitches. Umno is the dominant party in Malaysia's
ruling National Front,
and has been in power since 1957.