Langkawi Umno member Anina Saadudin says she was very touched to have received a letter of support from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in her legal battle against the prime minister.

"I was very touched to receive a letter from Tun. I didn't think someone who developed the country and mooted its tallest building would write to me and share my sadness in being sacked by the party," she told Malaysiakini .

She also said that in her opinion the letter which was delivered by Mahathir's aide yesterday wasn't just for her alone.

"I think this letter of appreciation from Mahathir is not just to me but for all Malaysians fighting in whatever way the can to ask Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to step down.

"Malaysians must realise that Mahathir is with all the 28 million Malaysians. We are not alone.

"I hope this will set the people's spirit alight to continue their struggle," she said.

Expressed sadness

In the letter, Mahathir said he was proud of Anina for speaking out against Najib, and hoped she would never give up.

The elderly statesman also expressed sadness over Anina's sacking.

Anina's Umno membership was terminated last week after she sued Najib to get back the RM2.6 billion donation for the party which went into his personal accounts.

Umno's constitution was amended in 1988 to allow for the penalty of expulsion for those members who take party matters to court.

The amendment was pushed through by Mahathir himself.

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