Many Umno members are disappointed because former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not attend the Umno general assembly which begins today.

"It (Mahathir's absence) is a disappointment for many people ...," Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim was quoted as saying by Bernama yesterday.

Mahathir was warded at the National Heart Institute (IJN) last Thursday after suffering from a mild heart attack.

He may be discharged soon but doctors have strongly advised the 81-year-old former premier to rest for two months.

Meanwhile, Rais urged delegates attending the assembly not to belittle Mahathir, who has been crossing swords with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration.

Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 after leading Umno and the nation for 22 years, hand-picked Abdullah to succeed him.

Pak Lah needs time

In a related development, Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin said Abdullah needed more than one term to fully implement all his policies.

"I am happy that Abdullah is firm about this (to stay in power for more than one term) because I heard some quarters saying that Pak Lah will not last long (as prime minister)," he added.

Abdullah's statement that he is "here to stay" (that he will keep the top job for more than one term, or five years) should be supported by the people, Muhyiddin said.

He added that the people must give Abdullah the opportunity to take the country to greater heights because it would be too premature to judge his performance.

"(It is certainly) difficult to see any tangible result (of Abdullah's policies) in such a short period of time - three or four years.

"Dr Mahathir Mohamad faced so much challenges in the early part of his premiership. But today, we can see the tangible result of his policies and administration.

"As such, it is not fair to give (Abdullah) just one or two terms as prime minister," he said.