Mahathir says no decision on new deputy post

Mahathir says no decision on new deputy post

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday he had not made any decision on appointing a deputy, a position vacant since the September sacking of Anwar Ibrahim, now on trial for sodomy and corruption.

"It's not true. I have not made any decision," he said when asked at a news conference about speculation that he was expected to announce a deputy. He was speaking after a one-day extraordinary general meeting of his ruling United Malays National Organization party (UMNO).

Asked about the type of person he was looking for to appoint as his deputy, he said, "An exact replica of myself if it is possible. I know it is not possible, the main thing is the policies (should) be the same, to give comfort to investors in this country."

He said party leaders held differing views on appointing a deputy prime minister, who is also traditionally UMNO's deputy president. While he wanted to wait until party elections next year, some party leaders felt that there should be a clear line of succession at all times, Mahathir said.

Mahathir sacked Anwar, who was also finance minister, in September saying he was "morally unfit" to rule. Anwar is under detention and undergoing trial on five charges each of sodomy and corruption, all of which he denies.

The issue of succession to Mahathir was not on the agenda of UMNO, which met to approve minor amendments to its constitution governing internal elections, but financial markets were awash with rumors about a possible announcement.

Mahathir warned on Sunday that disunity in the governing party could threaten the integrity of the Southeast Asian nation he has ruled for 17 years and make it vulnerable to "recolonization."

Mahathir's comments to nearly 2,000 delegates came at the opening of the party's first national convention since a political storm erupted over his sacking of Anwar, formerly his deputy prime minister and the No. 2-ranked official in UMNO.

"The party is important, not the individual. Individuals come and go," Mahathir said.

"Foreigners chose a credible puppet and tried to use him to conquer the country," Mahathir said in an obvious reference to Anwar.

Party leaders have often accused Anwar of being too close to Western leaders and too willing to accept economic prescriptions dictated by the International Monetary Fund.

"Special privileges were given to the puppet and his cronies, but when this puppet lost his power, open support was given to destroy the country," the premier said.

Mahathir, 72, faces the toughest challenge in his political career. Anwar's removal from office in September and subsequent arrest led to a wave of protests and rallies demanding the prime minister's resignation.

As dissent has spread within the ruling party, Malaysian police have jailed many influential leaders for backing Anwar's call for political reforms.

But Sunday's convention was unlikely to trigger stormy debate or any other form of open opposition to Mahathir because the party's current leadership does not tolerate criticism in public.

"Today, the only agenda for the meeting is to amend the party constitution and to make sure democracy in the party will not be abused and leaders will not use their democratic powers to destroy the party," Mahathir said.

Ahead of the meeting, party leaders called on younger cadres to demonstrate their support for Mahathir.

"UMNO youth should never ever go against the party leadership," party vice president Najib Tun Razak said in a speech given on Saturday.