The reformasi movement brings a significant change to the Malaysian political landscape because it is "more issue-based than racial", said Human Rights Commission chief Musa Hitam.

"If the reformasi movement and demonstrations could be given any significance in terms of Malaysian politics - if there is anything that I could unhesitatingly come to a positive conclusion - it never turns racial," he told malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

Musa, who is former deputy prime minister, added that in the old days, demonstrations often turned racial.

But he said that the reformasi demonstrations, which were ignited by the sacking of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1988, are "fascinating" because they are not based on racial sentiments.

On whether he would entertain a political comeback, Musa insisted that he would not return to active politics.

"I have no intention of standing for elective office and to be in active politics," he said, adding in jest that he might not survive Umno's political machinations.

"Politics need not necessary depends on the goodness of the man, but more on the ability of the man on whether he could sustain his power base," he said.

However, he added that he is willing to play a role in government if called upon to do so.

According to Musa, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will step down before the next general elections in 2004.

"I have never heard him to be as definite as he is and his body language seems to be serious enough. It could be anytime in the next few years, before the next elections," he said.

In the two-hour interview with malaysiakini at his residence in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur, last Saturday, Musa also refuted criticisms of the Human Rights Commission over the choice of some appointees, the body's apparent lack of credibility, the problems afflicting Umno and his expectations on next week's Umno party polls.

The first three of the four-part series on the Musa interview appeared on Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday.