KUALA LUMPUR: After an almost four-hour-long specially called meeting, the Umno supreme council last night accepted former president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation from the party.

The party, however, made it clear that it hoped the former prime minister would one day have a change of heart and rejoin the party, deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

He also said the supreme council stood fully behind Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership.

Some council members wore serious looks as they walked out after the meeting, while others appeared calm.

The meeting, chaired by Umno president Abdullah, began about 8.30pm and went on past midnight. During the press conference, however, Abdullah handed over the microphone to Najib, saying: "It is only appropriate that I do not speak as this is about me."
Najib, looking sober and calm, said the council had taken note of Dr Mahathir's resignation after it received his letter, which was addressed to party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

"We have acknowledged it but we hope that he will return one day."

Asked if he would meet Dr Mahathir on the matter, Najib said that he would, but not anytime soon as "we already know what he wants".

Najib also expressed confidence that there would not be an exodus of party members following Dr Mahathir's decision.

Asked whether a transition plan was discussed, Najib replied: "No, but that is a discussion between the prime minister and me."



Najib was also asked the party's response to Umno Youth exco member and Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir's open criticism of the party and his position.

"We have not discussed that. We prefer to be guided by Umno Youth's recommendations."

On the critical recovery plan for Umno, Najib said a special meeting would be convened to fine-tune the plan which would become a foundation for Umno to move forward.

"The plan will help to strengthen the party and hopefully regain the party members' and the people's confidence and trust in Umno." Najib, however, declined to reveal the details.

Earlier, Abdullah said the critical recovery plan had been discussed twice before last night's meeting.