KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 19, SPA -- Malaysia'sformer Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad quit the rulingparty Monday, the Associated Press reported. Mahathir's son Mokhzani Mahathir said his father wasleaving the United Malays National Organization party, orUMNO, with «immediate effect. » He said the former leader made the announcement in a speechin his home state of Kedah.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/557142