A Malaysian cabinet minister has accused former leader Mahathir Mohamad of wanting to topple his handpicked successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the New Straits Times reported on Sunday.
Nazri Aziz, a minister in the prime minister's department, made the accusation after receiving information about conversations Mahathir had had with some of his friends, the newspaper said.
Mahathir has denied wanting to topple Abdullah but has been sharply critical of some government policies.
"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, referring to the United Malays National Organisation, the dominant political party.
Mahathir feels betrayed by Abdullah because the latter has shelved several major projects that Mahathir had hoped would go ahead after he retired.