FORMER prime minister Mahathir Mohamad appears to have received very little support so far for his latest gambit to unseat his successor. Leaders from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition have come out in defence of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, and the media has been less than kind to the former leader. Here is a sampling of what some of them said.

DISLOYAL

'What he did was to be disloyal. But I think most members are still loyal, and that everyone will remain calm.'

DATUK SERI RAFIDAH AZIZ, Wanita Umno chief

TRAPPED IN THE PAST

'He belongs to the past, and the party is moving forward. We are not 'yes' men. In fact, the previous leadership was more dictatorial.'

DATUK MOHD ZAID IBRAHIM, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

BAD INFLUENCE

'Our country needs stability and not uncertainties. His decision will trigger adverse pressure on the people and foreign investors.'

DATUK SERI ONG KA CHUAN, MCA secretary-general

DISGRUNTLED INDIVIDUAL

'Umno will probably survive Dr Mahathir's latest temblor; his role and position have now become more individual and personal...His resignation now signifies little more than the huffy departure of a disgruntled individual.'

NEW STRAITS TIMES

SINGLE-MINDED

'Dr Mahathir will resort to anything to get what he wants. Everything and everybody else - including Malaysia and the people of Malaysia - is collateral damage.'

THE EDGE FINANCIAL DAILY

MORAL VICTORY FOR ABDULLAH

'Umno MPs' pledge on Tuesday to continue giving full support to Abdullah's leadership...certainly has given moral victory to the Prime Minister, while at the same time deals a blow to Dr Mahathir and his loyal supporters.'

BERITA HARIAN MALAYSIA

SOME SOUL-SEARCHING

'This is a bitter challenge on whether members want to see Umno regain its strength or totally destroyed. Umno members need to think. Is following Dr Mahathir's footsteps going to solve the problem?'

UTUSAN MALAYSIA