Controversial Umno leader Ibrahim Ali's ( photo ) plan to table a special motion at this month's Kelantan Barisan Nasional congress urging Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to remain in power was disrupted after another leader, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, commented on it, drawing objections from others.

When news about his plan was first highlighted in Berita Harian 's east coast edition, it failed to attract much attention.

In that report, Ibrahim said he intended to table a special motion asking Mahathir, who is also Umno president, to contest in the next general election because the party still needed him.

The Pasir Mas division chief is no stranger to controversy and is a known staunch supporter of the 76-year-old premier.

Following this, Tengku Razaleigh's comments were sought on the matter and the Umno supreme council member said Mahathir should reconsider his decision if the people wanted him to stay on.

His comments were published in Berita Harian 's national edition and caused a stir within the party.

Questioning Pak Lah's abilities

The surprised party leaders then responded by asking Ibrahim to retract his plans. They warned him not to politicise the resignation issue.

They said the motion will be interpreted as questioning the abilities of Mahathir's anointed successor, Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Among the leaders who expressed their reservations was Kelantan Umno chief Mustapha Mohamad.

He said everyone should respect the prime minister's decision to step down and added that Mahathir had made his retirement plans very clear.

Also joining the fray was Information Ministry parliamentary secretary Zainuddin Maidin ( photo ).

"Ibrahim was one of those people who was at one time trying to unseat Mahathir from the Umno presidency," he said, referring to how Ibrahim had backed Tengku Razaleigh to mount an unsuccessful challenge against Mahathir in 1987.

Following these scathing criticisms, Ibrahim decided to retract his plan to table the special motion. It is also learnt that the Kelantan BN congress has been postponed to December because of this incident.

However, the controversy-courting politician has chosen instead to call for an emergency meeting of his Pasir Mas division to urge the premier not to step down.

Ibrahim could not be reached for comment.