International

Mahathir briefly shocks his nation

KUALA LUMPUR JUNE 22. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, shocked his country on Saturday by announcing he was stepping down from leading his party and governing coalition, but reversed himself and withdrew the resignations after weeping supporters begged him to stay.

The political theatre, played out in a televised broadcast, whipsawed the emotions of the nation and of the 2,000 delegates to the annual party congress of the ruling United Malays National Organisation. The Islamic fundamentalist opposition, Dr. Mahathir's target in elections that loyalists are urging him to call early next year, dismissed the moves as political grandstanding. Dr.

Mahathir said he was stepping down as leader of the party and the governing National Front coalition, but couldn't say more before disbelieving supporters mobbed the podium.

The National Front chairman has traditionally been Malaysia's Prime Minister, but Dr. Mahathir did not specifically say he was quitting the premiership. Officials indicated that he had also planned to announce his resignation as Prime Minister, a post he has held for 21 years and, in the eyes of many Malaysians, no one else can fill.

Delegates shouted, "Long live Mahathir!" when the Deputy Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, announced that Dr. Mahathir had decided to stay.

"I hope all UMNO members and members of the National Front remain calm and understand that Dr. Mahathir is still the Prime Minister, UMNO president and chairman of the National Front," Mr. Abdullah said. — AP

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