Published October 7, 2008

Contesting Umno post: Abdullah to decide by tomorrow

Email this article
Print article
Feedback

(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kept the nation guessing yesterday on whether he will step down soon amid a festering rebellion in the ruling party, saying he will announce his decision in a day or two.

'I will decide either tomorrow or (on) Wednesday' whether to contest or not, he told reporters.

Party members have clamoured for fresh leadership after Mr Abdullah led the government to its worst performance ever during general elections in March.

Speculation is that Mr Abdullah will not last beyond March 2009, when the ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation, is scheduled to elect its top office bearers.

There are indications that Mr Abdullah will not defend the post of party president, and by extension resign as prime minister.

All five prime ministers since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957 have served as party president, while the deputy prime minister typically holds the No. 2 party post.



If Mr Abdullah decides against contesting, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is widely expected to be his replacement. The only other contender in the field, veteran politician Razaleigh Hamzah, is unlikely to get the nominations of a minimum of 58 district chiefs required to run for the top job. Party members in the country's 191 districts will begin meetings on Thursday to decide on the nominations.

Mr Abdullah said he will call a meeting of the 13-party National Front ruling coalition tomorrow to discuss future plans. 'Our colleagues (in the National Front) have already indicated they would like to be briefed on what we are doing and what the plans are going to be,' he said. -- AFP