Dr Mahathir in the dark over Khairuddin’s resignation

(The Star) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix) said he would reach out to Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan to discuss the decision by his key loyalist to quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) just a month after joining.

Khairuddin, who was the former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chief, issued a statement Thursday, saying he was quitting PPBM with immediate effect in order to concentrate on several court cases that he was facing.

He also urged all members and leaders of Parti Pribumi not to form teams (berpuak-puak), claiming that they must never absorb “Umno’s bad practices”.

“I don’t know about it, I have not heard about it yet, I have to confirm it,” Dr Mahathir told reporters here Friday when asked to comment on Khairuddin’s decision.

Asked whether he was shocked by Khairuddin’s decision to leave the party, Dr Mahathir replied: “I don’t know whether this is true or not, I have to speak with him first.”

Khairuddin could not be immediately reached, but said in his statement that he wanted to focus full time on his court cases.

“I will from now attend all invitations including ceramah in my personal capacity and no longer as a PPBM member.

“I would like to wish all the best to all my friends who remain in the party and hope that they uphold their responsibilities,” Khairuddin wrote in his statement.

In August, Khairuddin said he would not join PPBM which is being led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin as party president.

He changed his mind and joined the party the next month, in support of Dr Mahathir who serves as party chairman.

The former premier, who is also president of the Perdana Global Peace Foundation, was met after attending the launch of two books at the foundation’s office here.

The books are titled “Stealth: The New War Machine” written by Prof Hans Husum and the Chinese edition of “From Beirut to Jerusalem” by Dr Ang Swee Chai.