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As far as I am concerned, Umno supreme council's announcement that there would be a 15-month transition for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down from all party and government posts in October 2003 does not settle his resignation and retraction issue at all.

When Mahathir broke down in announcing his resignation, I think he was genuinely sad. This was not the way to voluntarily resign. It smacked of intrigues within Umno to obstruct his policies, frustrate him and now ease him out at a definite time-table that is not necessarily to his liking.

Some of the supreme council members who on the night of his shock announcement feigned sadness on the resignation, made token pleas that he remained and were the very ones who shortly after stipulated in glee the limit of his transitional caretaker term of 15 months. And why not, when they can get rid of the 'old man' for certain and take over? What sandiwara (play acting)!

The question foremost is should the ambitions of a few override the wishes of the rest of Umno members and Malaysians in general who do not wish that Mahathir departs under such circumstances?

What is the basis or right for the supreme council's meeting on June 25 to deliberate and determine the transition period of 15 months? Is the transition period Mahathir's decision? If it is, let Mahathir say so himself. Otherwise, it may seems like it is being imposed on him by the supreme council and the public may misconstrue this as a coup d'etat by power brokers within!

This is the irresistible inference. If one pleads with PM to retract his resignation, sincerity is expressed when he is allowed to decide how long he wants to remain, the longer the better if he were that beloved as a leader.

The time stipulation imposed made it seem as if it was a condition set on Mahathir to make sure that he does not change his mind.

If the above premises were right, I would reiterate that these power brokers have no right to prioritise the realisation of their political ambitions over and at the expense of the collective wishes of the majority Malaysians who want Mahathir to stay as long as he wishes to stay.

If Mahathir heeds Malaysians' wishes that he does not resign under pressure, he is entitled to repudiate the supreme council's decision of 15 months that was not his condition for retracting. Or he is perfectly entitled to view the 15 months as only the minimum period that he must remain in order to have an orderly transition if he is still adamant on going. This leaves open how long beyond 15 months he is entitled to continue go if he elects so.

If the supreme council does not allow this then, it must bear the judgment of Malaysians that it is its powerful members who attempt to kick Mahathir out. In return, Mahathir while still the premier in this 15 months is morally entitled to use all resources within his power to kick these disloyal lieutenants out.

The only question then is whether the PM still has the 'fight' in him.

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