Malaysia’s Mahathir quits ruling party over PM’s scandals

Mahathir, whose influence has waned in recent years, has a history of leaving the party since the late 1960s.

Echoing Ahmad Bashah’s remarks, Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said that it would be unlikely for Dr Mahathir to join the federal opposition.

The former prime minister, who quit UMNO on Monday (Feb 29) in protest against Mr Najib, said he had no plans to set up a new political party but would look at starting a group.

“The announcement today by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been instrumental in bringing Umno to the pinnacle of power and success, means that he has finally turned his back on his party”, added the Selangor mentri besar. “UMNO as a political party no longer exists”.

Mahathir has for months been a leading voice calling for the ouster of Najib, who is under pressure over allegations that billions of dollars had been pilfered from state firms, and for accepting a mysterious $681 million sum from an overseas source.

“If he (Dr Mahathir) is no more in Umno, Kedah will see no problem…maybe one or two (party members) won’t be happy but that is insignificant”.

Mr Najib was accused of taking $681m (£479m) from a state investment fund into his personal bank account.

Najib is widely seen to have strengthened his hand by sidelining party leaders he did not trust, and analysts say he faces little imminent threat of being toppled. “I am very much ashamed of all that is happening, I decided that I cannot be a party to all these things, so the least I can to do is leave the party”. Malaysia’s Attorney General cleared Mr Najib of any criminal offence or corruption last month, and called for all investigations to be closed.

This isn’t the first time the colourful and outspoken Mr Mahathir has resigned from his party – but at the age of 90 it will probably be his last.

The internal strife has damaged UMNO, the leader of all the country’s ruling multi-ethnic coalitions since Malaysia’s formation in 1957.

Mr Najib’s office had no immediate comment on Mr Mahathir’s statement.