Dr M's Quit Action Will Not Rattle BN, Says Pairin

KOTA KINABALU, May 21 (Bernama) -- The decision by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno will not rattle the unity and strength of Barisan Nasional (BN)component parties, says Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

The question of joining and leaving a party parti was not a strange or an extraordinary thing, said the deputy chief minister.

"Dr Mahathir's move to quit Umno is a normal occurrence in any political party in this country except that his departure has been made an issue by the mass media and has given extensive publicity," he told reporters when asked to comment on the former prime minister's decision to quit Umno with immediate effect.

Pairin, however, said Dr Mahathir's abrupt decision to leave Umno had raised a "question mark" among BN component parties.

"We were wondering what is the motive behind his action while his son Mukhriz is not following his father's move. Mukhriz's decision to remain in Umno is a denial to his father's action," he said.

Pairin, who is also the paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community, said Dr Mahathir should spend his retirement quietly after having relinquished all government and party posts five years ago.

"He had retired and should be relaxing and enjoying his retirement," he said, pledging PBS' support to the BN leadership led by Abdullah.

"I believe other BN component parties also have the same stand," he said.

Pairin said Umno and BN component parties would work hard to implement development projects for the people's well-being.

"We have to accept the reality that Dr Mahathir had left Umno. Let bygones be bygones. What's important is taking care of the people's welfare, particularly eradicating poverty and tackling influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah," he added.