| Mukhriz tells PM: Do the right thing |
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi faced mounting calls to quit today after his ruling coalition suffered a humiliating setback in elections seen as a referendum on his leadership.
Asked if the outcome was a vote of no confidence in his leadership, which has been criticised as weak and ineffective, Abdullah responded: "Maybe. There are a lot of messages from the people."
"There is no pressure at this time," he said when asked if he faced calls for him to resign.
But pressure did come, notably from former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who handed over to Abdullah in 2003 after two decades leading the Umno which dominates the Barisan Nasional coalition.
"My view is he has destroyed Umno, destroyed the BN and he has been responsible for this," Mahathir told reporters.
