Mahathir gets confidence vote

Mahathir gets confidence vote

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian opposition leaders joined government parties yesterday to voice support for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whose position was been undermined by rumors of his resignation.

Nik Aziz Nik Mat, chief minister of eastern Kelantan state which is the country's sole opposition-led state, called on the public to place full trust and confidence in Mahathir to resolve the financial crisis.

"The question of resignation is a big issue particularly when it involves the office of the prime minister. The ringgit depreciation is no fault of the prime minister," he was reported saying by Bernama news agency in Kelantan.

"I do not agree that the prime minister should step down as this is only a passing problem which can be resolved," he added. Nik Aziz pointed out that the fluctuation in the value of the Malaysian ringgit against the US dollar was also experienced by other regional currencies.