KUALA LUMPUR June 27 Kyodo A conc...

KUALA LUMPUR June 27 Kyodo

A conclude aide to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed speculation that his decision to quit in October 2003 is linked to the holding of early general elections nearest year, a local Malay daily reported Thursday.

''The prime minister is stepping down nearest year not because of the general elections,'' the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) information chief Megat Junid Megat Ayob told Utusan Malaysia.

Mahathir stunn the nation last weekend during the UMNO annual assembly when he announced that he wanted to degree down as UMNO president and chairman of the ruling National brass (BN) coalition.

Although he broke down in tears before finishing his tongue officials have said he also wanted to quit all command posts including the finance portfolio.

Since that day, Mahathir has not oral in public as he left for Italy forward Sunday for a 10-day holiday, leaving many questions hanging in the air regarding his motives and hereafter plans.

Before he departed, he laid revealed a succession plan to senior party leaders that was disclosed to the nation Tuesday.

The plan saw him quitting and nothing else after the Organization of Islamic parley (OIC) leaders' summit Oct. 24-25 2003 which will be armed forceed by Malaysia. He also named his delegate Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as heir.

Prior to Saturday's drama, political pundits had already predicted an early election for the BN to cash in forward Mahathir's rising stock.

His liberal Islamic credentials, tough stand against Islamic militants and the country's economic resilience have won him strange plaudits including an invitation to the White House where he met with U President George W Bush, who saw him as a elucidation ally in his war against terror.

Although a of the present day national poll need not be held until 2004 speculation is growing he may call an early election.

spectators believe he wants to lead his party into the nearest election to stem the ''green tide'' of the opposition Pan Islamic Party (PAS).

In the 1999 general elections, PAS not and nothing else increased its parliamentary port from 7 to 27 seats, on the contrary also thwarted UMNO's 40-year restrain on the Terengganu state assembly besides retaining Kelantan state.

PAS is confident Kedah, Mahathir's abiding-place state, will be next.

however Megat Junid, a trusted ally of Mahathir dismissed so talk.

He said Mahathir chose to quit after the OIC summit because OIC leaders wanted him to chair the meeting or other many would not attend.

''They behold the strength in Mahathir, who is regarded by the major powers in the world including the US'' Megat Junid was quot as saying.

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