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Date Posted: 18:57:35 10/21/06 Sat
Author: It all began with simple request to Mahathir's son (By Carolyn Hong)
Subject: But some are not hopeful about outcome of the meeting, which may take place this weekend
In reply to: Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew 's message, "Liong Sik, were there commissions paid out to someone on the purchase of Nanyang Press 5 years ago?" on 18:32:05 10/21/06 Sat

20/10: It all began with simple request to Mahathir's son
Category: General Posted by: Raja Petra
But some are not hopeful about outcome of the meeting, which may take place this weekend

By Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times

A CHANCE encounter up north in Kedah a month ago led to the planned meeting between the Prime Minister and his predecessor.

After a long war of words in public, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad are now expected to sit down for private talks as early as this weekend.

It all began when Datuk Mokhzani, the second son of Tun Dr Mahathir, bumped into a member of his Merbok constituency and of Mubarak, an association of former elected representatives.

'It was just a coincidental meeting,' Datuk Mokhzani told The Straits Times. 'He asked if there was a chance for a meeting between Tun and the Prime Minister as it would benefit everyone.'

Datuk Mokhzani conveyed the request to his father.

Tun Dr Mahathir then met Mubarak members for a breaking of the fast to hear more, and agreed to the proposal.

'It is now just a matter of finding a suitable time,' said Datuk Mokhzani who, of the five Mahathir children, is the closest to the Prime Minister's camp.

It was a remarkable turn of events, and has become the talk of the town.

A reconciliation between the two men had seemed impossible. The verbal attacks on PM Abdullah by Tun Dr Mahathir looked like they had crossed the point of no return.

But in politics, anything is possible, it seems.

The upcoming meeting would be their first since June when they sat at the same table at the wedding of Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin's son.

Nothing of significance took place there. In fact, since Datuk Seri Abdullah succeeded Tun Dr Mahathir in November 2003, they have met only a handful of times.

Both men want the peace talk to be held before Hari Raya, which will be celebrated next Tuesday.

'This is a good time as everyone is in a forgiving mood,' said political analyst Razak Baginda.

He said Tun Dr Mahathir's options have become extremely limited because he had failed to galvanise support from the public, non-governmental organisations, party members and government circles.

Even more crucial though is that the Umno general assembly is less than four weeks away. To many Umno leaders, it is imperative that the quarrel be resolved before then.

Although he failed to win a delegate's post to the assembly, Tun Dr Mahathir will be attending as a guest. And it could be an excruciating embarrassment for him to meet PM Abdullah there.

This weekend appears to be the likeliest time for the meeting, and it will probably take place during the breaking of the fast.

Datuk Mokhzani said it will be a private meeting.

'There are no pre-conditions,' he said. 'Tun said it does not matter if there are no witnesses, as long as he can present his views.'

The burning question now is whether a meeting can bridge their differences.

Tun Dr Mahathir has slammed PM Abdullah over his policies, and accused him of turning his administration into a 'family government'.

He has also said that a meeting without measures to 'right the wrongs' would be pointless.

In a sense, the success of the meeting hinges on Tun Dr Mahathir. If he is satisfied, it would be a success.

Some observers are pessimistic that the meeting will amount to much.

'The outcome of the meeting? Could be nothing at all,' said Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad. 'Seeing the bitterness in Dr Mahathir's comments, I don't see how he can be appeased.'

But there is also the feeling that Tun Dr Mahathir is serious about seeking a solution.

His youngest son, Datuk Mukhriz, is hopeful, although he believes that there may not be room for compromise on many issues.

'The issues that my father had raised are very important to him. On the issue of sovereignty (in relation to building the bridge to Singapore), how does one compromise?' he asked.

'Still, that's really not for me to say. It is up to them.'
Website - http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=225

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