SOME Malaysian politicians are unsure what to think of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Opponents who have given tacit backing to a national campaign in support of the Prime Minister responded testily this week to the appearance on their parliamentary tables of car stickers bearing a portrait of the nation's leader and the words 'We support Dr Mahathir'. Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party and parliamentary Leader of the Opposition, demanded to know who had printed the stickers. The Deputy Speaker, Ong Tee Keat, said he did not know who had distributed them but the action was not against standing orders. The campaign of acclaim for Dr Mahathir is aimed at demonstrating national solidarity against overseas publications and commentators who have suggested the Prime Minister should resign following his emotional outbursts against foreign 'currency manipulators', whom he held responsible for sharp falls in the value of the Malaysian dollar and share prices. The opposition went along with the campaign out of apparent concern that political stability needed to be preserved in a time of economic crisis. But its tolerance has been tested by the intensity of the campaign and the manner in which it is being conducted. Rallies have been held from Johore in the south of peninsular Malaysia to Perlis in the north. Events have been organised by youth movements and trade organisations, including the National Union of Bank Employees, whose members were enjoined to wear special badges for three days to show their support for the Prime Minister. Mr Lim took exception to 'unproductive activities such as public demonstrations' and the 'wearing of North Korean-style badges' by Dr Mahathir's supporters. 'The opposition has not asked for the resignation of Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister,' Mr Lim said. 'However, if Dr Mahathir feels it necessary to demonstrate he still commands the confidence of the people, he should move [an emergency parliamentary motion of confidence in his leadership].' As the opposition looked increasingly like a reluctant Mahathir booster, there were disclosures that other Malaysians had been less than supportive of the Prime Minister. Fauzi Abdul Rahman, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, attacked businessmen and industrialists who wanted Dr Mahathir to resign because there had been 'a slight downturn in the economy'. 'They are ungrateful. It was Dr Mahathir who created a conducive environment for them to amass their wealth,' he said. Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir continued to portray Malaysia as a victim of malevolent outside forces, warning the nation was under threat from 'neo-colonialists.'