IN THIS ISSUE
 Love
Bug virus wreaks havoc
UMNO
committed to democracy
Mahathir
says he might resign ... again
No
rift with Daim, says Mahathir
Riot
police disperse illegal assemblies
Police
recover missing person
Police
introduce sex education programme
It
was self-inflicted, say Sanusi supporters
 FEATURE:
UMNO Assembly
UMNO
committed to eradicating corruption
UMNO
committed to Youth
UMNO
committed to scandalizing Anwar
UMNO
committed to the Malay Agenda
 ARCHIVES
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Mahahtir says he
might retire ... again
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad this month announced that
he might retire by the year 2003 – the latest in a long, predictable series
of announcements of his impending retirement. Mahathir had earlier promised
that he would retire after the Commonwealth Games in 1998. He then announced
that he would retire after the Asian economic crisis was over. He then
announced that he would retire as soon as he found a suitable deputy Prime
Minister. Various other retirement announcements followed, the latest of
which was when he announced the new Cabinet line-up last November.
Political analysts, however, speculated that the Prime
Minister's retirement may come much later than most expect. "He had
earlier indicated that he would not resign until a 'replica' of himself
had been found," said an analyst who refused to be named. 'We may
have to wait until the time when genetic cloning technology reaches the
stage where that is achievable.'
Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur stock market did not react
at all to Mahathir's announcement of his retirement plans, as no one believed
him.
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Mahathir confides to UMNO Secretary Khalil
Yaacob: "I'm not actually retiring, reaaallly ...."
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No rift with Daim, says Mahathir
Daim: No rift with Mahathir |
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad this month denied speculation
that Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin would resign due to a rift between
the two. The recent appointment of a top financial advisor to Mahathir
further fueled speculation that Daim was being eased out of office. Mahathir
denied that there was a rift between them, saying they 'still smile and
hug each other.'
Two years ago, Mahathir denied speculation that Finance
Minister Anwar Ibrahim would resign due to a rift between the two. The
appointment of Daim then as a top financial advisor to Mahathir further
fueled speculation that Anwar was being eased out of office. Mahathir denied
that there was a rift between them, saying "Do I have to kiss him
on the street to prove there is no rift between us?"
A political analyst who refused to be named said that
it was evident the current rumours were unfounded. "Mahathir had said
he'd kiss Anwar to prove there was no rift. With Daim, he only hugs him.
The relationship has not reached kissing stage yet - this is a clear indication
that Daim is still in favour."
Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur stock market reacted to Mahathir's
denial by dipping 0.9 percentage points, as no one believed him.
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