updated version Information Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir today announced that he has informed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of his intention to resign and that the premier has accepted it.

The minister told a packed press conference at Angkasapuri this morning that he would continue to serve as information minister until the next cabinet reshuffle which is expected this week.

Kadir, who is also the Umno Kulim-Bandar Baru division chief, said he informed Pak Lah of his wish to resign nine months ago but was told to "think it over".

Two weeks ago, Kadir said he met the prime minister and told him again of his intention to resign as a minister.

Long time to think over

"This time, Pak Lah accepted it as he felt I must have thought it over for a long time", he said.

Kadir 67, said he wanted to quit as a minister in order to spend more time with his family.

His wife, Suraya Md Noah, who was also present at the press conference, nodded approvingly. (Suraya is seen here receiving a kiss from her husband.)

However, he also indicated that he has no intention to retire from politics altogether saying that he was still keen to retain his position as the MP for Kulim.

"Eventhough I am leaving the full time job as a minister, I am definitely not leaving national politics," he stressed.

"I don't want any full-time job now. But if there is something part-time that the premier or the deputy premier want me to help here and there, I will definitely do it."

Kadir also expressed interest to vie for a Umno supreme council seat in the next party election.

He failed to defend his seat in the 2004 party election and this was believed to have played a part in his intention to resign as a minister.

However, he denied this saying that "if it is because of the Umno elections, then I don't think I will resign".

Throughout the hour-long press coneference, he fought back tears several times when he recalled the 50 years he spent with Umno.

Kadir had served as deputy domestic and consumers affairs minister (1990), deputy foreign minister (1993), deputy labour minister (1995-1999) and culture, arts and tourism minister (from May 1999).

He was appointed information minister after the 2004 general elections, taking over from Khalil Yaakob who went on to serve as governor of Malacca.

The prime minister announced his cabinet reshuffle at 2.45pm.