During the final lap of campaigning prior to today's Umno Kubang Pasu division meet, three former loyalist of Dr Mahathir Mohamad have called on branch delegates not to vote for him.

Mahathir is vying to be elected division delegate today and to eventually speak at the Umno general assembly, but his three former supporters told branch delegates last night that he was 'too old' and that it would 'spilt Umno'.

Former Kedah Menteri Besar Osman Aroff, Kubang Pasu chief Johari Baharom ( right ) and Dr Mahathir's former political secretary Saad Man made the call during their speeches in a special meeting with delegates at the Darul Aman golf club in Jitra last night.

"Tun Dr Mahathir is no longer suitable because of his advanced age. So I ask of everyone present here, don't vote for Tun tomorrow," said Johari, who was handpicked by Mahathir to become the division's chief.

"(Don't) doubt, even for a second, that Mahathir's admission into the halls (of the Umno general assembly) would bring shame and embarassment to Umno.

"Just imagine, Mahathir sitting there with the other delegates, with a teacher, with Johari... Don't doubt for a moment that we would not be looked down on by other parties - by MCA, by MIC, by Gerakan...," added Johari.

Bad track record

In contrast, Johari praised Umno president and Mahathir's successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for having brought development and fulfilled requests of the people of Kubang Pasu.

"I requested that the Changloon mosque be constructed, Pak Lah did so. I requested for a mosque at Jitra, he did so. What more would we ask for?" added Johari.

Meanwhile, Osman told delegates in his speech that Mahathir had a track record of causing disarray in Umno and thus should be rejected as a delegate.

"We must remember it was because of Dr Mahathir that Umno was de-registered in 1987. It was also he, who chose to fight with his deputy (Anwar Ibrahim) in 1998. Such is Mahathir's record," said Osman.

Should Mahathir be allowed to represent the delegates, it would indicate that Umno Kubang Pasu was against Abdullah, added Osman.

Osman was also formerly Mahathir's special representative in Kubang Pasu, a post created for him after he (Osman) was ousted as menteri besar. Another Mahathir loyalist, Sanusi Junid, then took over as Kedah MB.

Saad, who also joined the chorus against their ex-boss, said reducing the former premier to the role of a division delegate would bring disrepute to Mahathir.

Lukewarm response

The meeting last night billed as a 'special meeting with the division leader'. Only half of the 493 delegates turned up.

When approached by malaysiakini , several delegates claimed they did not know the purpose of the meeting beforehand.

"All the same faces were there," remarked one delegate who requested anonymity.

Mahathir will be among the 493 eligible voters for 17 candidates vying for the seven division delegates seats.

Mahathir has 15 nominations while his son, Mukhriz, has 50.

Since March, Abdullah had been heavily criticised by Mahathir who claimed that in turn, is being stopped from addressing Umno members from within and outside the party.

He also claimed that various parties are out to ensure that he does not become a division delegate out of fear that he would use the stage at the general assembly to lambast Abdullah further.