ABDULLAH'S DECISION A BIG SACRIFICE, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Umno vice-president Muhyiddin
Yassin has described Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision
not to defend his Umno presidency as a big sacrifice which should be respected by all.

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the
decision made by Abdullah showed that he had placed the party's interest before
his own.

"We have been informed that he (Abdullah) has no intention of defending his
Umno president post in the party elections next March and all the leaders of the
National Front (Barisan Nasional - BN) component parties have mixed feelings
about this. But we respect the feelings of the Umno president and BN
chairman.

"The duty (as party president) will be taken over by Najib
as his anointed, and after taking into consideration the things that have
happened, I believe the decision was made in the interest of Umno and BN," he
told reporters at Menara Dato' Onn, here Wednesday.

He said Abdullah's decision to hand over the country's leadership was a big
sacrifice as it was not an easy thing to do.


"I think he has considered all aspects, including the party's interest over
his own," he added.

In another development, Muhyiddin said he would announce on Friday whether
he would be contesting the Umno deputy president post in the party elections in
March.

He said this followed Abdullah's decision today not to defend the Umno top
post and the vacant deputy president post as Najib was expected to vie for the
presidency in the coming party elections.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Muhyiddin would be announcing whether he
would contest the Umno No. 2 post after Abdullah and Najib had made known their
stand.

Umno or United Malays National Organisation is Malaysia's largest political
party and a founding member of the ruling BN coalition.


-- BERNAMA