Petronas Advisor Tun Mahathir Resigns

KUALA LUMPUR - Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has resigned as adviser to national oil company, Petronas Berhad, effective today.

According to Malay daily Utusan, sources said Mahathir felt it was time to cut back on his still-busy schedule. Since retiring in 2003, the 88-year-old Mahathir has held key posts in several top institutions.

"Dr Mahathir has been been contributing his efforts to government agencies for 10 years ever since resigning as Prime Minister in 2003," Utusan reported the source as saying.

Mahathir's resignation letter was submitted to Prime Minister Najib Razak on Friday.

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Another factor that could have influenced Mahathir's decision may be his recent bout of ill-health. The former PM was hospitalized for 10 days from November 16 at the National Heart Institute for lung infection.

Mahathir is also the adviser to national car-maker Proton, Chancellor at the Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP ), adviser to the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) and the Tioman Development Authority (TDA).

It is unclear if Mahathir will give up these posts along with the much-coveted office at oil-rich Petronas, which is ranked among the world's top 500 firms.

Will Najib accept Dr M's resignation

All eyes are also on Prime Minister Najib Razak's reaction.

Speculation has been rife there are 'undercurrents' between the 2 men and their supporters, especially since the recent Umno election where Mahathir's youngest son, Mukhriz, failed to win one of the 3 vice presidencies in the ruling party.

Going by the political culture in Umno, Najib is expected to reject Mahathir's resignation letter with some show of drama even if he is keen to accept it.

It remains to be seen if Mahathir will reconsider his decision. MORE TO COME

Malaysian Chronicle