I refer to the Malaysiakini report Umno MPs remain united behind Abdullah .

I agree with former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam that a thorn in the flesh has been removed from Umno with Dr Mahathir's decision to quit the party.

I am sure many Malaysians feel it's better he quit on his own accord rather than be disciplined and sacked by the party for his constant personal attacks against the PM.

After the debacle of the BN in the March 8 general election, many from the ruling coalition have not come to terms that the people have spoken loud and clear. Yet some of them continue to go round the country holding meetings and forums in hotels and assembly halls harping on issues which are definitely not unifying in nature for our multi-racial country.

Economically and politically, the country is stable and the government of the day is still strong enough to govern till the next general election. So I don't see why these detractors from the ruling coalition - especially Umno - continue to attack the PM as if he is a lame duck.

The role of the PM is indeed a lonely responsibility and it is for this reason the PM needs the support of his own party and those within the ruling coalition to govern the country. Instead, he gets subtle threats from them. He certainly doesn't need has-been or retired politicians taking pot shots at him every now and then.

The PM did let an excellent opportunity slip by to prove to the people that he is a breath of fresh air with new ideas when he was given a resounding victory in the 2004 general election. He also failed to ‘walk the talk’ in some of his promises and his call for the people to work with him and not for him didn't quite measure up.

Then those in his party started behaving arrogantly and making statements which hurt the feelings of others and refusing to apologise for it until it was too late.

Now, another golden opportunity has fallen on the lap of the PM with the report of the Lingam Tape royal commission of inquiry. He must prove to the nation he is a man of substance by taking firm action against those responsible - regardless of their stature in society - for the rot that has permeated through our judicial system.