Malay PM calls it quit: hands over premiership to deputy

Kuala Lumpur, Jun 13 (PTI) Ending months of uncertainty,
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday agreed
on a plan to hand over power to his deputy, taking full
responsibility for the disasterous election results.
Badawi said that he and his deputy Najib Razak, have
decided on the "right time for me to hand over the premiership
to him", but did not divulge any details.
The Prime Minister assured party officials at a private
meeting Friday that he would discuss a succession plan with
his deputy Najib Razak, a party official was quoted as saying
by Bernama news agency.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Badawi said some
officials in the ruling United Malays National Organisation
(U.M.N.O.) party had asked him to accept responsibility for
the ruling coalition's poor performance in general elections
in March.
"There have been demands. I feel I am the reason for the
spoiled votes for the (ruling coalition) and I feel
responsible to do what's best to rehabilitate the government,"
he said.
Reiterating that he and Najib enjoyed good working
relations, Badawi said they have mutually agreed on the "best
time" for a leadership transition.
"The leadership change will definitely take place at the
right time," he said.
Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad said details of
how and when Abdullah will hand over power would be finalised
after the U.M.N.O. holds its annual congress in December.
Najib said in London Thursday that he would not
challenge Badawi for power because as a "true Umno man" he
would not risk destroying the party his father had built.
Earlier, Badawi had rejected plans to relinquish power
saying he could discuss a transition only after the December
internal leadership polls.
Badawi, who took office in October 2003, suffered setbacks
when his party lost two-thirds majority in Parliament
as well as control of five state legislatures following
massive anti-government protest.
He said he wanted to remain in power for a while longer to
try and resolve public grievances about issues such as
corruption, crime and racial disputes.
"I have to discharge my duties and I feel duty-bound to
ensure that all problems are resolved. That is the priority."
Badawi also said that people should stop speculating on
his relationship with Najib as such talk was of no benefit to
anyone.
"It's important for everyone to see the relationship
between me and Najib as very crucial to strengthen U.M.N.O.
and the government and to implement the development projects
and programmes that have been planned," he said.
"Najib and I have decided on the right time for me to
hand over the premiership to him. We've no problems and we
enjoy good working relations," Badawi said.
International Trade Minister Muhyiddin indicated that no
deadline has been set for Badawi to step down, saying "the
period of transition and so on were not mentioned in detail"
during today's talks.