ALOR STAR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced he is quitting Umno, in what is seen as his final push to force Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister and party president.
His wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has also quit, according to his website www.chedet.com
Dr Mahathir also called on Umno members to join him in this radical move, which he likened to “removing gangrene” in order for the party to survive.
Except for two party veterans and one branch in the Merbok division, there were no other takers.
Abdullah, who expressed shock at Dr Mahathir’s decision, however, reiterated that he would not give in to the pressure from the former premier.
Party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak offered to meet Dr Mahathir to “discuss the decision” to quit.
Dr Mahathir has been on the warpath against Abdullah since 2004, claiming his successor was unfit for the job and has stepped up his attacks after Barisan Nasional’s disastrous results in the March 8 general election.
Dr M’s journey in UMNO
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/20/nation/21298347&sec=nation
1946 - Joined Umno
1965-1969 - Member, Umno Supreme Council
September 1969 - Expelled from Umno for disciplinary reasons. Re-admitted on March 7, 1972.
June 1972 - Elected a member of the Umno Supreme Council with the highest number of votes. Lost in the election for an Umno Vice-President post.
June 1975 - Umno Vice-President
1977 - Acting Chairman, Umno Liaison Committee, Malacca
May 1978 - Chairman, Perak Umno Liaison Committee
September 1978 - Umno Deputy President
June 1981 - Umno President
July 17, 1987 - Umno Political Bureau Chairman
Feb 16, 1988 - Pro-tem President of Umno Baru after Umno is declared an illegal society on Feb 4, 1988. Dr Mahathir’s membership number is 001 as he is first party member of Umno Baru.
December 1993 - Kelantan Umno Chairman. Chairman, Politics and Constitution Committees of the Supreme Council.
June 22, 2002 - Announced his intention to resign from all political and Government post at the final day of the 56th Umno assembly. Appeals from Umno Supreme Council members for him to stay on.
Oct 31, 2003 - Retired as PM and Umno president after 22 years.
September 2006 - Fails in bid to be an Umno delegate for the Umno general assembly coming in ninth out of 15 contestants in the Kubang Pasu division.
May 19, 2008 - Quits Umno
My Thoughts
Dr M ~ my idol — I m surprised with this MAN decision as he has fight for the ’survival’ of UMNO in his whole political life?! Will write again after reading more on this issue.
