The big day for Dr Mahathir KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. — Datuk Seri Dr Muhathlr Mohamad will take the oath of office as the fourth Prime Minister of Malay- sia before the Yang di-Per- tuan Agong,on July 16. Dntuk Seri Dr Mahathir, who is the new Umno president, told a Press conference after the close of the Umno General As- sembly here today that Datuk Hussein Onn will chair his last Cabinet meeting on July 15, The oath-taking ce- remony, to be held at Is- tana Negara, will be wit- nessed by the Lord Presi- dent, Tun Suffian Moha- med, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Hashim Aman, and Cabinet Ministers. Meanwhile, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah said that she would continue to serve as a part-time lec- turer at a Health Institute here. She would also continue to serve in welfare orga- nisations and help Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir in carry- ing out his duties, she said. — Bernama. Reports by N.V. RAMAN, BACHAN SINGH, AZMI ANSHAH and ZAINAL EPI Pictures by YEONG CHEONG and CHOW CHIN HUAT most surely endorse these ter who controls the party UMNO president Datuk Datuk Hussein himself, leaders at the party elec- (and not the party presi- Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other members of the tion this year dent). said yesterday that it was party's Supreme Council were seen wiping away "If Datuk Hussein unusual for any leader to "Some people believe give up his post voluntarily. tears while Datuk Seri Dr wanted, he could have .Mahathir, who struggled to stepped down next year hat if the Prime Minister "Usually leaders try to keep himself under con- and appoint his successor. choose the leaders he establish a dynasty while trol, spoke. It would be fait accompli wants, the party would de- finitely endorse his choice. in power and only let go The Deputy Premier, and Umno would have to through force or threats," who will take over as accept the new leader. "But what about the he said. Prime Minister from Da- "But Datuk Hussein in- feelings of those who are 'The Deputy Prime tuk Hussein on July 16, stead gave Umno the not picked and their sup- Minister said the fact that said that unlike other opportunity to choose its porters. Datuk Hussein Onn countries where leaders own leaders in a sincere stepped down voluntarily try to slay in power for as and democratic spirit," he "If the Prime Minister showed the Prime Minis- long as they can, two lea- said. picks his leaders, I think ter's dedication, sincerity, ders, have voluntarily He added that this was Umno would endorse the statesmanship, integrity stepped down in Malaysia. also a chance for himself choice but there will be and firmness. "The first was Tunku to test whether Umno problems. Umno members "Even if a leader does Abdul Rahman and now it wanted him to be the new will feel that the party has step down because he is is Datuk Hussein. Both of leader. been pushed into second forced to, he usually foists them also did not force us "He gave the party a place," he said. his own candidate, pro- to accept their choice of chance to hold contests He said he supported bably from his own family, new leaders. and for the party to have a Datuk Hussein's decision on the people. "There were those who choice of its own," he said. to allow the party to "This causes ill-feelings, tried to influence the Tun- Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir choose its leaders but Datuk Hussein, however, ku to pick than to succeed said he was aware that stressed that once the left it to the party to de- him but he, fully aware there were some people parly has made its deci- cide who it wants as its that the late Tun Abdul who thought that to have sion, it must close ranks. leader and to elect the Razak was widely accep- avoided an unhealthy cam- He added that in his 36 leader through democracy," ted, just pointed out Tun paign, Datuk Hussein years in Umno he always he said. Razak to us and we chose should have handpicked had someone above him to Tun Razak. the leaders he wanted to Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir advice him and protect "Datuk Hussein could succeed him. him. was winding up the de- easily have put aside the bates on the last day of the "Our concept has al- Umno delegates if he had ways been that it is Umno "But now I have to bear Umno general assembly. It stepped down last year or the heavy responsibilities was his first speech to the that controls the Govern- next year," he said. and duties by myself I party as its new president. ment and not the other way round. If the Prime cannot hide behind Datuk The more than 1,000 He said that if Datuk Minister can choose who Hussein anymore. I will delegates who filled the Hussein had stepped down he wants as deputy presi- also have to shoulder the hall were moved to tears last year, he could have dent, then it would mean burdens of others," he by the emotion of the mo- picked the leaders he wan- said that it is the Prime Minis- ment, ted and Umno would al- POLITICAL parties and business circles today paid high tribute to retiring PrinJt Minister Datuk Hussein Onn for his ser- vices to the country, and welcomed his successor, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamyd, as Umno presi- dent and_ Prime Minister. They "pledged full co- operation to Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir when he assumes the prime ministership after Datuk Hussein steps down on July 16. Datuk Hussein announc- ed the dute of his retire- ment at the Umno general assembly this morning MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Chang Hon Nyan said the country enjoyed great stability, progress' and prosperity under Datuk Hussein's leader- ship. "I have personally worked under him and found him to be hard working, dedicated and sincere, and as a leader of this nation, he has pushed himself to the utmost of his limits " he added. Tan Sri Chong, who is Health Minister,- said the MCA was "sorry" to lose Datuk Hussein as the lea- der of the Cabinet and wished him continued goud health in his retirement. ''We will give his suc- cessor, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir, the same loyal support that we gave to Datuk Hussein." Snap secretary-general Datuk Leo Moggie said Snap leaders and members were sad to hear of Datuk Hussein's decision to resign as Prime Minister. He said the people felt GOODB YE.. Datuk Hussein Onn waves to members as he boards his car to return home the loss keenly when a respected and able leader smooth implementation of had to withdraw due to ill development projects." health. Gerakan also pledged He said that as chair- its full support and co- Row over the man of the Barisan Nasio- operation to Datuk Seri Dr nal, Datuk Hussein had Mahathir and to the candi- given Snap and other date chosen by Datuk Seri component parties in- Dr Mahathir as his deputy. valuable guidance and ad- In KUCHING, Sarawak delegates' chairs vice. Chief Minister Datuk On behalf of Snap, he Amar Taib Mahmud congratulated Datuk Seri commended Datuk Hussein to the microphone and for preparing the Govern- A HEATED argument be- After being briefed by a Dr Mahathir Mohamad as tween an' Umno delegate said: "Don't we have the hotel official, Datuk Sulai- the new Umno president ment machinery well be- right lo attend the Umno fore stepping down to and the Hilton manage man said "I'm sorry this and pledged their support ment over chairs stopped General Assembly?" incident happened, The lor him when he assumed enable it to continue achieving greater efforts the assembly for a few mi- The permanent chair- management simply acted the prime ministership nutes yesterday. without our consent " next month. in economic and Social man, Datuk Sulaiman development. The delegate, from Ninam Shah replied "You Gerakan President Dr l'etaling Umno division, Delegate "Umno is He had acted always for have every right, Please Lim Keng Yaik, in thank- found out after lunch that paying a lot of money to the best interests of the calm down and tell me ing Datuk Hussein for the the chairs for his division, what is wrong " rent this place and we are co-operation he had given country, even in his way of which 'were cushion-pad- Delegate: "Why is it our being treated unfairly." — the party during his tenure relinquishing power. ded and had name lags, chairs with the name tags Very soon Umno will of office, expressed hopes "We also believe that, had been switched to are being taken away and have a place of its own and for Datuk Hussein's speedy this tradition of noble sel- "plain" chairs. we don't need to rent this flessness and service to replaced with another set recovery. The delegate demanded place again and when we country will be perpetua- of chairs?" "I am sorry He said Gerakan- that their original chairs do get it nobody will dis- ted by his successor, but I have no idea what respected Datuk Hussein's be brought back and after turb us anymore" Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir," was happening". wish lo retire on July 16. a healed argument with A spokesman for the he added. "I am sure the whole the hotel management, Ihe "Is this a sabotage hotel management said the Sarawak Deputy Chief country will agree with us chairs were switched aimed at our presence?." chairs were borrowed from Minister Tan Seri Sim when we say that he has again.