ANWAR NOT SUPRISED WITH ABDULLAH'S DECISION TO RELINQUISH POST

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he was not suprised with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to relinquish the prime minister's post next year as well as not defending the Umno president post.

"He (Abdullah) has given this indication in the past and he is clearly
under siege within Umno. I don't think it is tenable for him to continue under
this circumstances. The issue is not personal. It is systemic.

"I appeal to Abdullah ... at least do the right thing. I would suggest
tomorrow, release all the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees," he told the
media at the Jalan Duta court complex here Thursday.

Anwar, 61, was met while attending the court proceedings in his sodomy case
at the Sessions Court at the complex, which had resumed to hear submissions by
the defence and prosecution on the validity of a transfer certificate signed by
Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail for the case to be transferred to the
High Court.