'Mahathir out to topple prime minister'

This combo photograph shows Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (L) and former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in a file photo. PHOTO: AFP

Influential cabinet minister Nazri Abdul Aziz, citing information he had gleaned from Mahathir's conversations with friends, said the ex-premier was working to unseat Abdullah, also president of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

"If he continues his actions to destroy Umno, to bring down the president, I will be at the forefront as a warrior to defend the party," Nazri was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.

Nearly 200 Umno divisions are currently holding their annual meetings nationwide and the dispute between the two has featured high on the agenda.