Razaleigh stirs UMNO waters

Razaleigh stirs UMNO waters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A former archrival of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for changes in Malaysia's main political party, the latest sign of internal division in the organization.

Razaleigh Hamzah, a former finance minister, was quoted on Friday as saying Malay voters had sent a message to Mahathir's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in recent general elections that they wanted change.

"I believe UMNO has to make changes which are tailored along the aspirations of the people, especially the Malays, who spoke through the ballot box," The New Straits Times quoted Razaleigh as saying on Thursday in the capital of Kelantan state. He did not specify the changes.

"It is too bad if UMNO does not realize this and chooses to ignore their views," the Sun newspaper quoted the 62-year-old prince from Kelantan's royal family as saying.