Some speculate that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned in tears probably because of a deep gnawing sadness that Malay leaders within his own party do not want him anymore.

No matter what he has achieved for the country, no matter that his agenda, programmes and business are still unfinished.

For a party structured upon patronage, 21 years of rule was already too long. To be fair, others too are impatient for and entitled to a shot at controlling the levers of patronage. To move up, so to speak.

It is their raison d'etre for joining Umno. It is also a matter of time the country has to be weaned from depending on his strong leadership attributes. The wheel must turn.

Still it is ironic that just as he strengthened his international image and poised himself at the highest point in prestige, both domestically and internationally, his own party lieutenants have either ushered or nudged him to leave or at least failed to persuade him or accede to his terms to stay for a duration at his own discretion.

There is no reason to overstay when in principle one's own party did not wish one to do so. The exact mode of departure then becomes unimportant. What comes around, goes around. If intrigues are perceived as accompanying the circumstances of his relinquishment of positions, the same likewise surrounded his assumption of positions two decades ago, and history repeats itself round and round in the manner since the days of political intrigues of the Malacca SultanateIt comes with the political territory.

In recognition of the inevitability of his departure under such imperatives, leaders of component parties within Barisan National were quick to endorse Umno's moves to put in place the transition plan and treat the end of his reign as fait accompli . Realistically, it was Umno's call afterall.

There remains however initial scepticism among some as to whether Umno's call is necessarily convergent with the nation's, at least for the immediate moment. Which is hardly surprising considering that after a long rule in which institutions have been perceived undermined and everything is practically run by one strongman that held everything together, the sudden removal of the hub that held together the spokes of the wheel of government naturally provokes anxiety as to whether the wheel can still run as smoothly and efficiently in the aftermath.

Even though top cabinet and political leaders are matured and capable to continue with 'life after Mahathir', foremost in everyone's mind now is whether any other leader at the helm has the toughness and strength of character to continue his policies and tackle and resolve the bludgeoning problems besetting the nation touched upon by Mahathir in the Umno annual general assembly.

Mahathir is generally regarded as indefatigable leader credited with leap-frogging the country from an agricultural-based backwater to an economic and industrial success story. His trenchant rebuke of PAS is perceived bulwark against creeping religious extremism, an immediate cornerstone of concern of the country, the region and the world.

Mahathir's anointed successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or Pak Lah, hails from a pedigree of religious teachers and ulama (Muslim scholars) with Arab ancestry. Combined with his known readiness to listen, Abdullah is perceived by many as being poised at a vantage point to engage Malaysia's religious conservatives on a different and hopefully more successful level than the more confrontational and abrasive Mahathir's style.

The question that lingers is whether a departure from Mahathir's belligerent stance and otherwise engaging on a platform of philosophical or religious approach with religious conservatives bent on aggressive and absolutist agenda will hold greater promise of success in the longer run.

How will, for example, Umno leaders (minus Mahathir) fare in the thrusts and parry of parliamentary debates against a fiery and charismatic orator like Abdul Hadi Awang whose appointment to opposition leader's position is expected? Will a soft and gentlemanly discourse bereft of dry and cutting sarcasm and wit on the part of the ruling party's leaders win the day?

It is a matter of perception, whatever the reality yet to unfold.

But so far Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Singapore's Goh Chok Tong have greeted Mahathir's resignation with expressed concern for the stability of the region in relation to the current anti-terrorism drive.

Since Mahathir's announcement of his decision to resign, the Kuala Lumpur stock market has fallen consecutively. (Lets hope that this is attributable more to worldwide market falls triggered by US corporate scandals, previously Enron and now Worldcom than otherwise).

According to dealers, however, some investors and foreign fund managers now "questioned the sustainability of policies following Mahathir's departure" and re-weighted risks conservatively in preference of a reduction of their holdings (see Markets and neighbours concerned over M'sia without Mahathir , June 26). Local businessmen are also extremely concerned.

Something has to be done, and convincingly soon. Confidence is the 'X' factor and whether perception is prematurely bias or otherwise, yet it determines the direction of markets which in turn the fate of restructuring of many of our PN4 and 176 corporate already in dire distress in relation to their financial creditors holding shares of diminished values as collateral.

Mahathir will still be around for approximately a year in the transition period. It is a good thing. Much like a reservist in the present World Cup series, ever ready to jump into the field to help, in whatever roles — whether as captain, striker or fullback — when any team member is injured or if the tide of the game suddenly reverses against the Malaysian team!

The finality of his departure will only be stamped if events in this comparatively long transition period do not necessitate his intervention or return.