The Umno supreme council today moved swiftly to quell talks that the ruling party has been split into two factions following former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad's scathing criticism of the current leadership.

Prime Minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chaired the three-hour meeting at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, but appeared reluctant to elaborate on the Mahathir issue during a brief press conference afterwards.

However, Puteri Umno head Noraini Ahmad - a member of the party's highest decision-making body - told reporters later that there had been no discussion of speculation that Mahathir would be sacked from the party.

Asked if Mahathir - the former prime minister of 22 years up to 2003 - is still an Umno member, she replied: "Yes, he is."

During the press conference, Abdullah refrained from making any comments on the controversy. Instead, he asked his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak, to read out a short statement representing the party's stance on the spat between Mahathir and the current administration.

In the statement, Najib said the council has unanimously given its full backing to Abdullah.

"I want to emphasise that this stance is made by Umno leaders, regardless (of whether they are at) the national, state or divisional level. (There is) no Umno leader who is not supportive of Abdullah. There is no faction within the party," he said while Abdullah looked on.

Najib said the council's stance was made based on the full mandate given by the rakyat to Abdullah in the 2004 general election and on the basis that Abdullah's leadership is required to implement the Ninth Malaysia Plan and to ensure that Vision 2020 is realised.

"The government can make any decision based on the situation. All the decisions we make are based on public interest. If there is any criticism from Tun (Mahathir) or leaders, we will explain objectively, factually, respectfully and as best as we can," said Najib.

What can we do?

Abdullah took just four questions when the session was opened to journalists and, with his brief answers, this was over within two minutes.

Journalist: Have Tun Mahathir's statements created factions in Umno?

Abdullah: No. That has been answered. Next question.

Was there any discussion of Umno's election next year at today's meeting?

No discussion in relation to that.

What if Mahathir is still unhappy with the government's replies to his questions?

We will leave it as it is. We try our best to explain, if (those in) any quarter including Tun (Mahathir) are still unhappy, what can we do? But we will give full explanations.

Will the Umno supreme council meet Mahathir ?

No decision made on that.

Mahathir rocked the ruling party when he unleashed a torrent of criticism over a number of decisions made by Abdullah, his hand-picked successor, including the scrapping of the half-bridge to Singapore, management of the national car company Proton, and rampant issuance of approved permits to import cars.

The claim that Mahathir would be shown the exit from Umno was made by opposition PAS vice-president Husam Musa last Wednesday, when he claimed to have gotten wind that a motion to sack Mahathir would be moved at today's Umno meeting.

Contacted for immediate response, Husam said he stood by what he said.

"My pre-emptive statement can be deemed successful because Umno has had to change its initial plan (to sack Mahathir) over the past few days. Mahathir can now continue to speak out openly about the government," he insisted.

Husam also said PAS leaders would meet Mahathir on Saturday as they have been invited to attend a talk by the ex-premier.