The powers-that-be robbed former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad of an 'easy' victory in the Kubang Pasu Umno division delegates contest, said party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

"With the state of play, I suppose you cannot expect anything other than a loss for Mahathir. I think people were determined to stop him from being elected," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

"Otherwise how could a man - a leader for the Kubang Pasu division for more than 30 years who brought development (there), an ex-premier who created a name for the country - is suddenly not wanted by his own people.

"It's shocking. I don't think the Malays are that ungrateful. After all, he is only seeking to be a representative (of the division), not to become prime minister or deputy prime minister. He doesn't want that anymore," added the Gua Musang MP.

"He would have won easily. He is not just a great leader but also a world renowned leader," he said, arguing that there must have been forces working against Mahathir.

In 1987, Razaleigh mounted an unsuccessful challenge against Mahathir for the Umno presidency and lost by a mere 43 votes. He then formed the now defunct splinter party Semangat 46 but returned to Umno's fold seven years later.

Money politics

In Saturday's polls, Mahathir finished ninth among 15 candidates with 227 votes from the 493 delegates who attended the division meet.

The contest was held to elect seven delegates to represent the division in this November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur. Mahathir's son Mukhriz, who came out fifth, managed to make it to the annual assembly.

In the run-up to the polls, there were allegations that the Umno leadership was employing underhand tactics and deploying government machineries to ensure Mahathir's defeat. But this was repeatedly denied.

The 81-year-old former premier, who is currently embroiled in a squabble with his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also alleged that Kubang Pasu delegates were bribed to vote against him.

Commenting on this, Razaleigh said Mahathir should file a complaint with the Umno disciplinary board although he "may have grounds" not to have faith in its proceedings.

On Monday, Mahathir said he had no faith in the disciplinary board as one of its members, former Kedah menteri besar Osman Aroff, had campaigned against him in Kubang Pasu.

Special congress

Asked if the defeat could be seen as a 'devastating blow' to Mahathir's illustrious political career, Razaleigh replied: "Based on the press conference he (Mahathir) gave recently, he is still going on (to criticise the government). That means, it is not a devastating blow."

He said the current Umno leadership had no reason to be afraid of the former premier and reiterated his suggestion for the party to organise a special congress to allow Mahathir to address its rank-and-file.

He said via this platform, party members themselves can rebut or accept Mahathir's arguments.

Razaleigh also called on Mahathir and his handpicked successor Abdullah to meet and iron out their differences.

"It (the spat) does disturb people's thinking and perception of what is happening in the country," he said.