Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin today pointed the finger at former Umno heavyweights Abdullah Ahmad and Ibrahim Ali as the cause behind the rift between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his handpicked successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

According to a Bernama report, Khairy said he believes that Mahathir was sincere in raising certain questions concerning the government but certain quarters had taken advantage of this.

Without naming them, he said they were the same people mentioned by Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob.

At a function last night, Adnan described Abdullah, who is also known as Dollah Kok Lanas, and Ibrahim as "disappointed people" who influenced and instigated Mahathir.

Dollah Kok Lanas, who was member of parliament for the Kelantan seat of Kok Lanas, is former New Straits Times editor-in-chief, while maverick politician Ibrahim was recently kicked out from Umno.

Khairy, who is the premier's son-in-law and one of Mahathir's frequent targets, said these people were also behind Mahathir's recent visit to Kelantan where they made disparaging statements against the Umno leadership.

On the same note, he expressed confidence that the people will continue to support the prime minister.

Postpone FTA talks

In another development, Khairy said Umno Youth is urging the government to postpone its negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US because the country did not support the call for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

He said postponing the FTA talks will be sign of Malaysia's support to Palestine and Lebanon, which are the victims of Israel's military aggression.

"We have to send a message to America... as long as there is no peace in Lebanon and Palestine, we will not continue the FTA talks," he added.

Khairy said Umno Youth also hopes that other developing nations engaged in FTAs with US will stall their implementation if it can help the peace process in the Middle East and does not affect their economies.

"America is not doing anything to help the two nations, why should we be good to them?" he asked.