Mahathir maintains firm grip in UMNO

Mahathir maintains firm grip in UMNO

By M. Jegathesan

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Despite advancing years and the sacking of his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad continues to have a firm grip on power in his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party, according to senior party members.

Aided by the surprise recovery in the economy, members of the dominant ruling UMNO stressed there was no faltering of support for the 73-year-old Mahathir.

"So far, I do not see any element in the party trying to question his leadership," said UMNO information chief Yusof Nor.

UMNO, the leading member of Malaysia's ruling coalition and which is led by Mahathir, is to hold its annual meeting starting Thursday. About 2,034 delegates are expected to attend.

During last year's meeting, the strong youth wing of UMNO allied to Anwar had accused the party leadership of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, the rallying call of the Indonesian reform movement which saw the demise of veteran president Soeharto last year.

Party insiders then said the attack was directed at Mahathir with an aim to topple the prime minister of 17 years.

Anwar, 51, who was sentenced in April to six years imprisonment for corruption, is again on trial on a sodomy charge. Mahathir dismissed Anwar last September following differences over economic policy.

He was expelled from UMNO and after leading the biggest anti- government protests in decades, he was arrested as a threat to national security.

Yusof, however, eluded to attempts by "outside forces" to convince UMNO members to question Mahathir's leadership.

"They are trying to use the party machinery to attack Mahathir," he said.

Yusof, who did not identify the "outside forces," said they were blaming Mahathir for Malaysia's economic crisis.

"The unethical attacks through the Internet and magazines are strong," he said.

"UMNO members are solidly with Mahathir. They do not want to see their leader become a victim of unethical attacks, either from outside or inside the country."

The government has forecast GDP growth of 1.0 percent this year after a 6.7 percent slump in 1998, the country's first recession in 13 years, but projected stronger expansion of 5.0 percent in 2000.

Yusof said foreigners failed to understand Malay culture and that the more attacks on Mahathir, the more Malays sympathize with their leader.

"This is indeed a blessing in disguise," he said.

Ibrahim Ali, deputy minister in the prime minister's department, told AFP Mahathir had "strong support of UMNO members".

Ibrahim said their continued support for Mahathir was testimony of members' backing of the prime minister's sacking of Anwar.

An UMNO watcher, who requested anonymity, said Mahathir had the upper hand at the assembly and in UMNO.

"The economic recovery, unlike last year's crisis, is a coup for Mahathir," he added.

"The old man has the upper hand in the party."