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.