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Mahathir, heir advance in run-up to party polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy inched closer on Saturday to ensuring top positions in Malaysia's ruling party before internal elections.

Mahathir, prime minister for 19 years, and Abdullah Badawi, his deputy of one year, collected three nominations each for the presidency and deputy presidency, respectively, of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Mahathir is effectively seeking re-election as party chief while Badawi wants to be formally elected as his deputy after informally assuming the role following Mahathir's dismissal of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

UMNO's president traditionally becomes prime minister while the deputy president assumes the number two post in government. The party's 165 divisions are nominating candidates for the two jobs ahead of its polls on May 11.

With Saturday's nominations, Mahathir and his anointed successor Abdullah have 20 divisions backing them.

Candidates need the support of 50 divisions to contest the presidency and 33 to run for the deputy presidency.

The only possible challenger to Mahathir and Abdullah had until by Saturday collected only one nomination for both posts.

Former finance minister Razaleigh Hamzah was thrown into the fray by a division that defied the UMNO Supreme Council's recommendation that Mahathir and Abdullah win their races unchallenged to avoid a damaging split in the party.

The Supreme Council had said it wanted unity in UMNO after the party lost ground badly to Islamic conservatives in last November's general elections.

But critics said this stand was meant only to shield Mahathir's weakened position after the premier sacked Ibrahim, which sparked unprecedented protests against his reign.

Razaleigh's supporters believed he might get enough nominations to take on Abdullah, but might fall short of the 50 needed to run against Mahathir.-Reuters