The Star Online and Malaysiakini both carry the news that Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is quitting UMNO with immediate effect. He also urges other UMNO members to emulate him.
“I will only come back to the party when there is a change in leadership,” he said to a crowd in Alor Star this afternoon.
However, he asks those who quit the party not to join another party, instead, to return to UMNO when there is a leadership change in the party.
“Wait till Abdullah to quit as the prime minister and party president and then we can return to Umno,” he was quoted in Malaysiakini.
Update (Mon 19 May 2008 15:53)
Former Kedah Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid also quit UMNO.
Update (Tue 20 May 2008 09:54)
The Star reports that 300 UMNO members from the Jalan Badlishah branch in the Merbok division will take cue from Dr. Mahathir by quitting the party. Branch chairman Mej (Rtd) Anuar Abdul Hamid said members in the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings were also quitting.
Also quitting is former party supreme council member Tan Sri Khalid Abdullah, who is an ally of Dr. Mahathir. He claimed that 3 division leaders in Kedah will follow suit.
Update (Tue 20 May 2008 15:35)
Dr. Mahathir, in his blog, said that his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah is following his step to leave UMNO.
