Many fault him for failing to boost govt transparency, multiracial unity
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(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bade farewell to his Cabinet yesterday, the eve of his resignation after more than five years of lacklustre rule.
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| Mr Abdullah: My biggest regret is the fiasco in the 2008 general election |
Mr Abdullah is scheduled to meet Malaysia's king, the constitutional monarch, to submit his resignation today.
Cabinet ministers and dignitaries have received invitations to a palace ceremony tomorrow, when Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is likely to be sworn in as premier.
In his final interview before handing over power, Mr Abdullah told editors of Malaysian media on Tuesday that his time in office was marked by 'missed opportunities'.
He did not elaborate, but many have criticised him for failing to fulfil his pledges of boosting government transparency and multiracial unity.
Mr Abdullah, 69, was pressured to step down after the ruling National Front coalition suffered its worst results ever in a general election a year ago.
He said in the interview that the electoral fiasco was his biggest regret since taking office in October 2003.
'When your time's up, it's time to go,' Mr Abdullah said, according to a transcript published by The Star newspaper.
'No fanfare necessary. What has been done has been done,' he added.
Domestic Trade Minister Shahrir Samad said yesterday that he was attending the final Cabinet meeting that Mr Abdullah would chair.
Mr Najib is expected to announce a major Cabinet reshuffle next week after April 7 special elections to fill legislative vacancies.
He has vowed to revive the National Front's support through wide-ranging political and economic reforms, which include efforts to fend off a looming recession.
However, opposition leaders insist there are signs that Mr Najib will crack down on political dissent.
Government officials on Tuesday barred opposition politicians campaigning for next week's ballot from repeating accusations linking Mr Najib to the 2006 killing of a Mongolian woman who was the mistress of Mr Najib's friend.
Police warned that those who defied the ban could be arrested.
Mr Najib has denied involvement in the killing.
'The repression is going to get much more thorough,' said opposition lawmaker Tian Chua.
'I think we are going to face a much bigger clampdown. The bad days are coming.'
Mr Najib says he should be judged by his actions after he assumes office. -- AP
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