Scores of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's supporters today gathered outside the Putra World Trade Centre building in Kuala Lumpur just before the prime minister met with BN leaders to brief them on the power transfer.

abdullah badawi supporter pwtc 081008 Armed with banners, the supporters called on the embattled premier to continue until 2010.

The banners read: ' Hormati peralihan kuasa, elakan perpecahan lagi ' (Respect the transition of power, avoid further rifts) and ' Pak Lah, teruskan perjuangan ' (Pak Lah, continue the struggle).

The supporters also chanted ' Hidup Pak Lah ' (Long live Pak Lah) and ' Pak Lah presiden, Najib timbalan '. (Pak Lah as president, Najib as deputy).

"There must be an orderly transition now. Whatever happens, Abdullah must clearly state his position today," said one of the members responsible for the banner, 41-year-old Fakhrul Azman.

abdullah badawi supporter pwtc 081008 Abdullah originally wanted to hand over to Najib in mid-2010 but was forced to review his departure date as he lost support from the ruling party's grassroots.

At the BN supreme council meeting, Abdullah announced that he would not be defending his position as Umno president and will be quitting as prime minister in March next year.