Mahathir's illness unsettles Malaysian politics

Mahathir's illness unsettles Malaysian politics

By Nelson Graves

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's latest illness has stirred anxiety in financial markets and revived speculation over Malaysia's political future once Asia's longest serving leader no longer holds power.

Mahathir, 73, was in the National Heart Institute last Friday for the sixth day being treated for bronchitis.

Mahathir's second-in-command, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, sought to reassure concerned citizens.

"There is no need to worry over the prime minister's condition. We should all continue to pray for his speedier recovery so that he could resume his duties," Abdullah said on Wednesday. Aides said last Thursday that Mahathir was stable. But a combination of factors kept the rumor mill in overdrive.

The choice of hospitals -- the National Heart Institute -- raised eyebrows as soon as the Prime Minister's Office disclosed on Sunday that Mahathir was being treated for a lung infection.

Aides said the choice was logical because he had a bypass operation in 1989 and his regular doctors are at the institute.

The absence of regular medical bulletins created a vacuum which rumor mongers eagerly filled. The Prime Minister's Office has released two bulletins in six days -- the first almost 48 hours after he was admitted and the second three days later.

While aides have answered questions, there has been little information on the nature of the illness or the treatment.

Even statements meant to reassure citizens have begged questions. Officials said Mahathir was up and walking on Thursday. Did that mean he had been bed-ridden for some time?

Mahathir typically leads a hectic schedule of dawn-to-dusk appointments, exhausting aides and reporters who follow him.

He is his own public relations manager, making public comments on any range of topics. Even senior ministers are often reluctant to take a public stand, knowing the prime minister could give his own views on the very topic any time.

The sudden absence of Mahathir's forceful personality left a gaping hole on Malaysia's political stage which the more soft- spoken Abdullah was forced to try to fill.

Normally Mahathir revels in contact with supporters. The fact he was not receiving any visitors except family and very senior officials raised eyebrows.

Aides said doctors wanted him to get a complete rest and needed to suppress his characteristic urge to get up and go.

But with the prime minister out of sight for nearly a week, speculation inevitably swirled.

The stock market dived on Wednesday afternoon on rumors that Mahathir was seriously ill. A medical bulletin saying Mahathir was responding well to treatment quelled the rammers.

One senior diplomat said he was puzzled by Mahathir's last- minute decision to go on a haj pilgrimage to Mecca recently, forcing him to cancel engagements.

"We are trying to understand the significance of his decision to go to Mecca," the diplomat said, surmising that the prospect of elections by June 2000 may have swayed Mahathir.

Residents said pilgrims commonly come down with bad colds upon returning to humid Malaysia from dry, dusty Mecca.

Behind the markets' jitters were concern that Malaysia could be in for a prolonged period of uncertainty if Asia's longest serving leader somehow no longer held power.

"It would mean a clean slate in Malaysia," an envoy said.

Mahathir recently said he would like to find a clone before stepping down after 18 years in power. But he now has his fourth deputy since assuming power, and Abdullah, while praised for his "Mr Clean" image, is seen as lacking Mahathir's charisma.

Abdullah, appointed deputy premier in January, has not had time to consolidate his position as prime-minister-in-waiting.

Education Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former finance minister Razaleigh Hamzah, overlooked when Mahathir tapped Abdullah, could make a play if the chance presented itself.

The only politician able to match Mahathir's nationwide appeal, sacked minister Anwar Ibrahim, faces a potential jail term. The verdict in his corruption trial is set for April 14.

"Anwar's prospects could be wholly different if the political situation changed," one diplomat said. "But Mahathir always seems to rebound."