PM's son quits ruling party post

PM's son quits ruling party post

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's second son, who quit business in April over allegations involving government projects, has given up his post in the ruling party's youth wing, an official said on Tuesday.

Mokhzani Mahathir resigned as treasurer of the United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) youth section, said a party official, who asked not to be identified.

UMNO, which dominates Malaysia's ruling coalition, is led by Mokhzani's 75-year-old father.

Mahathir faces an opposition campaign accusing his coalition of cronyism and has stepped up the rhetoric against UMNO members engaged in so-called money politics.

Mokhzani's withdrawal from business and the mysterious resignation of Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin earlier this month prompted talk that Mahathir, in power since 1981, is engaged in a wider ploy to shore up faltering support among majority Malays.