A former Malaysian minister will serve as a mediator to help repair strained ties between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad, a report said today.

Khalil Yaakob, a former secretary general of the ruling Umno and current governor Malacca, has agreed to help "mend fences between the two leaders," The Star newspaper said.

The veteran 68-year-old politician, who served as information and education minister in Mahathir's administration, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Mahathir has bitterly attacked Abdullah in recent weeks, criticising his policy decisions and even expressing regret that he had chosen Abdullah to take over from him in 2003, saying he had been "stabbed in the back."

The public rebukes have left Umno members reeling, raising fears of a party rift and growing political instability.

Peace-broker

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, known to be close to Mahathir, has been trying to find a way to broker peace between the two sides, meeting with both Mahathir and Abdullah last week.

Zainuddin said both had agreed to a mediator, whom he described as "loved by Dr Mahathir and respected by Abdullah," without naming the person.

"It is not just Umno members who want to see the two end their dispute but all Malaysians who are concerned about the political situation," he was quoted as saying by The Star today.

"They want to see government leaders focus their attention on the economy and not on political matters," he said.

A senior official from Zainuddin's office told AFP the minister would not comment further.

Umno members and leaders, reportedly worried that opposition political parties will take advantage of the rancour, have applauded the involvement of a mediator, The Star reported.