[Mokhzani adalah satu-satunya klon Mahathir yang aktif di dalam Umno - sudah tentu ada muslihatnya untuk dia mengistihar berundur tiba-tiba. Dia sudahpun memberi sedikit 'hint' untuk diteka bahawa dia ingin menumpukan lebih masa di dalam Umno kerana lebih terjamin masa depannya.

Walaupun Mokhzani berundur - itu cuma dua syarikat sahaja, Dia masih menjawat banyak kepentingan termasuk sebagai pengerusi Goldtron. Pengunduran Mokhzani lebih bersifat untuk mengurangkan liabiliti Mahathir. Begitu juga dengan pemergian Daim yang 'bercuti' entah kemana (mungkin bukan di Amerika sebenarnya?).

Daim pernah mengeluh sudah bosan dengan Umno. Bila si diam berkata-kata apa yang tidak terkata itu maknanya sakit sudah tidak tertahan dirasa. Walaupun begitu Daim mungkin tetap setia kepada Mahathir selagi itu perlu untuk dia menjadi kaya dan selamat dirinya. Ini semua mainan politik belaka - bersandar dan berpura kepada yang kuat belaka. Soal ikhlas lain bicara. Mahathir pun begitu juga.... dan Mokhzani pun dua kali lima. Jika tidak menipu takkan dia bertahan lama. - Editor]

Week 19

http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/ nations/0,8782,108635,00.html

The Person: Mokhzani Mahathir - That's my boy!

Who is he?

Mokhzani Mahathir, 40, is the controversial middle son of Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. A major corporate player, he's drawn flak even from within his father's own party, UMNO, for some of his deals and loans.

Why is he in the news?

Mokhzani is resigning as CEO of - and selling his stakes in - two companies with huge debts, Pantai Holdings and Tongkah Holdings. He says he's quitting because his association with the firms, which have been involved in government contracts and privatization, is tarnishing the family name. But he is not selling out of other companies, nor resigning as chair of Goldtron.

Why is he going?

There are several theories, including:

1. The companies may need to be bailed out. This would be a boon to Mahathir's critics, especially at the up-coming UMNO assembly where he faces anger over alleged bailouts of friends and family.
   

2. Unlike Mahathir's other kids, Mokhzani has been active in UMNO politics. He may be preparing for a bigger role.
   

3. The move is linked to business interests of finance minister and millionaire Daim Zainuddin, who went "on leave" after talks with Mahathir.
   

So what does it all mean?

Too early to tell. Many Malay-sians sensibly view everything as a shadow play, and believe the true story rarely emerges until later - possibly when Mahathir and Daim are out of the mainstream.