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By Andrea Filmer
GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia: DAP leaders expressed their disappointment in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision not to defend his Umno presidency, saying the leader was "chased out of office."
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the move was against the mandate of the people.
"It is most unfortunate that Abdullah has virtually been hounded and harassed out of office. He headed Barisan in the March 8 election and, at some level, won with a comfortable majority despite the anti-Barisan sentiment among the people. "He received the mandate of the people and that must be respected," Karpal Singh said when contacted.
"It's obvious that he is not stepping down voluntarily and I think it is not right for the Barisan supreme council to have treated him in this manner," he said.
In a statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Abdullah was always seen as a man with good intentions.
"Ironically, the public respected Abdullah more than his party because he was seen as a well-intentioned man who is probably one of the few clean leaders left in Umno.
"Unlike his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah was forced to retire against his will at a time not of his choosing.
"The abrupt and undignified nature of his departure is a sad reflection of his weakened political position," Lim said.
Lim also urged Abdullah to make the best out of his last few months in office.
"Abdullah should leave a legacy of fighting corruption by having open tender and taking action against the leaders in Barisan Nasional and UMNO who abuse the power," he said.
The call was echoed by his father, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who said in a press statement that Abdullah should still leave a legacy of change and make an honourable exit as the fifth Prime Minister.
"It will be Abdullah's tryst with destiny. It can still be done, if Abdullah is prepared to 'do the impossible' and use his last five months as Prime Minister to honour all the unfulfilled pledges and promises of the past five years," said the elder Lim.
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