No elder statesman role after retirement, Malaysian reveals

No elder statesman role after retirement, Malaysian reveals

Jasbant Singh, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur

Returning from vacation on Wednesday to a hero's welcome 11 days
after triggering anxiety over his retirement plans, Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad ruled out assuming an elder statesman's
role and still running Malaysia when he steps down next year.

"I have already made it very clear that when I leave, I leave
completely," Mahathir told a televised news conference. "I'm not
going to hold any position, either in the party or in the
government."

Mahathir, 76, one of Asia's longest-serving leaders, threw
Malaysia into uncertainty June 22 when he tearfully told his
party's congress that he wanted to step down. Mobbed at the
podium, he was persuaded to stay and retracted the resignation an
hour later.

The next day, he left for Italy and had not spoken in public
until returning on Wednesday in an executive jet. Thousands of
supporters greeted him, cheering "Long live Mahathir" and waving
banners reading "Your leadership is still needed."

Under a transition plan announced June 25, Mahathir will hand
over his posts as head of government and the United Malays
National Organization (UMNO) to Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi after hosting an Islamic summit in October 2003.

Mahathir said that in the pandemonium that followed his
resignation announcement, he told party leaders he would stay an
extra month, but was persuaded to make it 16 months.

There has been speculation that Mahathir, who has overseen
Malaysia become one of Asia's richest countries during 21 years
in office, would assume the role of senior minister, like Lee
Kuan Yew in neighboring Singapore who as prime minister a decade
ago but remains politically powerful.

Mahathir said Abdullah, dubbed the "Mr. Nice Guy" of Malaysian
politics, would run the country. Mahathir would remain a party
member, he added, and did not rule out running for Parliament in
the next elections, due in late 2004.

Officials have said elections will not be held early, but
speculation had mounted before the retirement drama of early
polls to exploit weakness in the Islamic fundamentalist
opposition.

The ruling party's three vice presidents, who are the front-
runners for the deputy party leadership and deputy premiership
that Abdullah will vacate, stated they would abide by Mahathir's
demand to avoid infighting. But the fundamentalists predicted
there would still be conflict.

"All indications are that there will be bitter jostling for
posts and political instability," said Kamaruddin Jaafar, a
senior official in the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.

Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz, head of the ruling party's
women's wing, told reporters that jockeying for positions would
"undermine the level of credibility that we have now."

Mahathir said that he originally planned to retire after
Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, but stayed to
grapple with the Asian economic crisis and turmoil after his
then-deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, was sacked and jailed, sparking large
street protests.

"If I had left too early, when the party was facing problems
and was weak, like the situation in 1999, it would appear as if I
was running away from my responsibilities," Mahathir said.

Mahathir was asked why he wept when making his retirement
announcement.

"Parting is always a sad thing," Mahathir said. "Also, it is
an admission that I am getting old, so people get a little bit
emotional."

The stock market has stabilized since plunging early last
week, but dipped Wednesday due to overnight losses on Wall Street
and closed down 0.5 percent at 739.25 points.

Mahathir chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting. On Friday, he
begins a two-day visit to Thailand and will discuss terrorism and
other issues with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mahathir, a moderate Muslim leader, has emerged as a regional
ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism. The fundamentalists are
perceived as losing popularity after making pro-Taliban
statements and frightening Malaysia's large non-Muslim Chinese
and Indian minorities.