SUBANG: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad returned from Japan yesterday and continued his attacks on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Arriving at Subang Airport at about 6pm, Dr Mahathir was driven out, waving from the sunroof of an MPV to about 300 supporters bearing banners and placards.

He was handed a loud hailer and requested to give a short speech, which he obliged by accusing Abdullah of lacking gratitude.

"From all this support, it seems that there is no difference whether I am a member or not."

Dr Mahathir resigned from Umno on March 19. Without mentioning the Pedra Branca decision, he jibed that Abdullah was afraid of the "small country" Singapore.

"But he is not afraid of Umno members."

He launched into his usual vein, claiming that the top Umno leadership's agenda was not to struggle for the Malays but to keep Abdullah in power.

Dr Mahathir said he regretted taking Abdullah back into Umno after it was declared illegal, although the latter never left the party.

"This is a person who is ungrateful."

He said gratitude was a quality the Malays held in high esteem.

An Umno member claimed that 125 of the 156 branches in the Jerlun division sent representatives.

Also present was independent member of parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali.