Mahathir supporters quit opposition state

Mahathir supporters quit opposition state

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad's party members said yesterday they had left their
political posts in opposition-ruled Kelantan after failing to
make headway in the northeastern Malaysian state.

Political analysts, however, interpreted the move as a ploy by
Mahathir's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) to seize
control of the state, run by the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).

"The opportunity given to PAS to govern Kelantan for more than
25 years is enough to show the people how weak the PAS leadership
is," Rozali Isohak, spokesman for the three politicians who
resigned, told Bernama news agency.

The trio were part of the opposition Spirit of 46 party, which
used to jointly rule Kelantan with PAS until defecting to
Mahathir's UMNO this year.