Mahathir to rejoin UMNO after Badawi steps down

From the Malaysianinsider:

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Despite saying that he would not come to the Umno General Assembly because of rampant money politics in the party elections, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today surprised Umno delegates by making an appearance and announcing that he would be rejoining the party.

“I came because Muhyiddin convinced me that there will be changes,” he said. Dr Mahathir also said he came to congratulate new party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his excellent speech.

When asked when he would be rejoining the party, he responded: “Later, have to fill in the forms. Lambat lagi. I will rejoin Umno. I will tell you later.”

Dr Mahathir also denied that he would be given an advisory role in Najib’ s new administration and told reporters that he was unhappy with party’s new line-up.

“It is not very satisfying because too much money has been spent,” he said.

Yesterday Dr. Mahathir wrote in his blog accusing Umno Youth of being corrupted in choosing Khairy as their leader.

When his son Datuk Mukriz was later asked about the father’s return to Umno, he replied: “Once Najib takes over, he will fill in the application form.”

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to submit his resignation as Prime Minister on April 2.