Mahathir's exit won't hurt Umno, says Najib

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to quit Umno will not hurt the party, says Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

"Maybe not, because usually when you leave the party, the effect is (when you do it) the first time.

"But when it's done twice, many people will think it won't have an impact that can threaten Umno's position," the prime minister is quoted as saying by Bernama.

Najib was speaking to the press in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last night.

Mahathir resigned from Umno for the second time on Monday, in protest Najib's leadership.

He had left the party in 2008 to show his displeasure with Najib's predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and only rejoined Umno when Abdullah stepped down in 2009.

[More to follow]

-Mkini