Umno Youth has taken strong stance against ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad accusing the latter of 'going overboard' and launching a 'personal attack' on his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Mahathir's statements were "unwarranted, uncalled for and unfair" to Abdullah and the wing was disappointed, its chief Hishamuddin Hussein told a press conference at the Umno headquarters this evening after chairing the wing's exco meeting for more than two hours.

"Umno Youth has to accept the reality that any views and criticisms by Mahathir could not be seen as an ordinary citizen's statements. His statement will bring effects and implications to the party, government and public perception.

"Thus, when we recently heard these statements and criticisms which are more personal, Umno Youth is of the view that (Mahathir's) statements have gone overboard and we see it as unfair to the prime minister. It is also inappropriate to the party and its leadership," he told reporters.

Hishamuddin was referring to the row between the two men which erupted two days ago when Mahathir accused Abdullah of breaking his promises and damaging the country by rolling back the veteran leader's initiatives.

The ex-premier, who stepped down in 2003 after 22 years in power, also claimed he came close to be 'stabbed in the back' by Abdullah. BN leaders have immediately rallied behind the latter.

Hishamuddin, who is also the education minister, noted that Mahathir's criticism against Abdullah - including claims that Abdullah broke his promise by rolling back the veteran leader's initiatives - will cause uneasiness among party members.

He opined the party has existing mechanisms for Mahathir to air his grouses but it should not be done at the expense of the party and turning them into a personal issue. He said Umno Youth has always given the undivided support to the government and party leadership.

A consensus

Nonetheless, Hishamuddin said he was happy Mahathir - who is also the ex-Umno president - had given his assurance on his loyalty to the biggest ruling party and that he would not let any quarters, especially the opposition, exploit the situation.

Without naming anyone specific, Hishamuddin said there was claims that certain individuals and groups had a personal agenda within the party but he said Umno's history had proven that those with personal agendas would not be given any room.

When asked what he was asking from Mahathir, Hishamuddin replied: "Well, its very clear, we have made a position on what we are unhappy about, what we hope should not have happened. I am asking him to consider our stance.

"But at the end of the day, a lot depends on our president and PM too, based on his approach and relationship with (Mahathir) to make things better. That can only be done by people who are sincere, not by people who are insincere and wanted to take advantage of situation like this."

However, when he was posed with a follow-up question to this reply, Hishamuddin denied he was casting doubts on Mahathir's sincerity in settling the current controversy.

The Umno Youth chief also said the wing's response to Mahathir's criticisms was a consensus by all the exco members. At this juncture, Hishamuddin ended the press conference abruptly with one reporter still posing a question to him.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mahathir's son, Mukhriz - one of the Umno Youth exco members present today - said he endorsed the stance by the wing as it was discussed in a rationale manner.

When asked which part of Mahathir's statement was considered a personal attack against Abdullah, Mukhriz attributed it to his father's remarks that Abdullah was not his first choice as successor and the implication Abdullah was not 'being grateful' after being chosen as premier.

"I as exco member stick with the exco's decision. The statement made by my father has touched on personal issues with the party's president. I think everybody admits that the statements are somewhat personal," he said, adding that he did not have any hard feelings.

Also present at the press conference was Umno Youth's deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.