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."