Kuala Lumpur, May 20: Malaysia's ruling party tried to stem a potential hemorrhage of members on Tuesday after former leader Mahathir Mohamad resigned and urged others to follow him to pressure the prime minister to step down.

Few prominent figures have so far heeded Mahathir's call on Monday to abandon the United Malays National Organization party, but Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak offered to hold talks with Mahathir to help resolve the crisis.

The party's troubles should be ``settled internally and not from outside,'' Najib said in a statement from Egypt, where he was attending an economic forum.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday ruled out any personal meeting with his predecessor, underscoring the bitterness that has plagued their relationship after Mahathir retired in 2003 after 22 years in office and handed power to Abdullah.

Mahathir, 82, has been a fierce critic of Abdullah's political and economic policies. He stepped up his calls for Abdullah to resign after the government suffered bruising losses in March general elections.

Opposition parties sought to capitalize on the conflict Tuesday by encouraging disillusioned government loyalists to defect.

``The internal problems of UMNO are clearly deteriorating beyond any hope of recovery,'' said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. ``Any and all Malaysians of conscience who are concerned for the continued stability, prosperity or unity of the country are invited to join'' the opposition.

Mahathir announced in a speech Monday he was leaving the party and would only return if Abdullah steps down. The party helms a multiethnic coalition that has ruled Malaysia since 1957.

Mahathir wrote on his blog late Monday his wife has also quit, but they will not join any other party. Other ordinary party members vowed on Internet forums to follow suit, but the only other notable figure to do so was Sanusi Junid, a former state chief minister. ``Abdullah is blind and deaf and doesn't understand the message of members,'' Mahathir wrote. ``I feel my participation as an UMNO member is no longer meaningful or useful.''

Another of Abdullah's critics, Razaleigh Hamzah, said late Monday he will remain in the party to challenge Abdullah for the party presidency in December polls.

Abdullah has insisted he will not step down anytime soon because he wants to settle public grievances over issues such as corruption and racial disputes. He has pledged to hand power to his deputy, Najib, but only wants to plan the leadership transition after this year.