By Mangai Balasegaram In Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian politics has often been compared to wayang kulit, the traditional shadow puppet theatre - full of intrigue and subtlety, with plenty of behind-the-scenes action.

Saturday was a particularly sensational episode in the country's political history.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad - who has fought tough political odds to survive 21 years in power - made the shocking announcement that he was to resign in front of 2,000-odd delegates of his party, the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), at their general assembly.

He's known to spring surprises but never in terms of wanting to leave the party

Dr P Ramasamy, National University of Malaysia

In a matter of moments, people were running across the podium to stop him speaking, with one minister breaking the heel of her shoe and a wheelchair-bound delegate struggling to stand up.

Amid screams and tears across the hall, a weeping Dr Mahathir then walked out and after some time, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced that he had retracted his decision.

Abdullah Badawi: Mahathir's likely successor

"It was very emotional, very, very tense. Everyone was standing up and people were shouting and crying," said Nur Jazlan, a member of Umno Youth's executive council.

Dr Mahathir's announcement - aired live on national television - seems to have caught everyone by surprise, even close aides and family members.

"He's known to spring surprises but never in terms of wanting to leave the party," said political lecturer Dr P Ramasamy from the National University of Malaysia.

No-one is really sure what was behind the move. Now Dr Mahathir has left the country for 10 days on a previously planned holiday, taking his reasons with him - and leaving the country waiting in suspense for the next part of the story.

Succession issue

There is much speculation that Dr Mahathir may work out a lengthy handover period with Mr Badawi, his likely successor. According to the speculation, Dr Mahathir might hand over power in 2003 to allow time for the party and the public to adjust.

"He [Mahathir] is not going to stay in power forever. Sooner or later, he has to prepare [Mr Badawi] to take over," Dr Ramasamy told BBC News Online.

Zulkifli Sulong, chief editor for Harakah, the newspaper of the Islamic opposition party PAS, said: "This is the best time for him to leave. He has settled problems within Umno, and he's now worried about who will take over."

Other opposition leaders believe the move was staged to help bolster support and close ranks, noting that a day earlier, the premier had made a controversial speech on Malay privileges that may caused some dissent in the party.

PAS official Hatta Ramli said: "This is... play-acting. I think this is a desperate attempt to fish for sympathy and he may call for an election soon."

'Like a father'

But Umno officials point out that support for the premier is at a peak.

"Four years ago, [after the sacking of his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim] everyone wanted him to leave, even within Umno. Now, nobody wants him to go," said Nur Jazlan.

"How can it be a show? How can you orchestrate thousands of people to act like that?"

"My perception is that he only wanted to resign from party posts and maybe the premiership next year. I don't think he expected such an overwhelming reaction.

"But he is like a father, people cannot let him go just like that"

The drama is not over yet. Political pundits point out that Dr Mahathir did not actually state himself that he would withdraw his resignation and many believe he intends to go through with his decision.

Whatever Dr Mahathir's reasons, the incident exposes how unprepared the country is for life without him.