Malaysia has never experienced such a long premier-transition period. Perhaps we should also give serious thought about naming the new deputy prime minister as well, apart from anointing the incumbent deputy premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. This might make the transition more stable.

As the deputy-premier-in-waiting has yet to be named, we can expect a power struggle for the No 2 job in coming months. This could cause some dangerous and chaotic political undercurrents amid the seemingly 'stable' and 'peaceful' transition.

Much energy — and political capital — would be spent in fighting for the post. There is no assurance that the new deputy premier might be assured of becoming the next prime minister — remember Mahathir has had three deputies who never made it — but the probability of succession is likely to be higher.

This is because Pak Lah is perceived by many to be only a seat-warmer (as he is already 62 years old) until the next 'real' PM comes along, as well as due to his lack of democratic mandate and strong grassroots support within Umno, compared to the other three vice-presidents.

Therefore, the battle for the No 2 job will be very fierce. We can expect an abnormally high level of political activities within the coming months.

If the new DPM is named by Mahathir now, however, the situation would be more stable — at least during the transition period when calm and stability is most needed, due to the uncertainties and chaos created by the manner of Mahathir's withdrawal.

The next two to three years will be a critical period and stability is necessary for the country after 21 years of domination by Mahathir.

If naming a DPM now is desirable, the question is how. Given the short time frame, perhaps direct appointment by Mahathir himself is the only way to go. Even though it is not democratic, pragmatism and the stability of the country seem to require it.

The best way is, of course, to open up the post for contest, in a party-wide election within Umno itself. Indeed, this should be done in the next party election. However, for the moment, the best way forward is appointment by Mahathir, and the Supreme Council of Umno.

The process of transition is more complicated than simply naming the next PM. Even though Pak Lah has received Mahathir's blessing, there is no guarantee that he will not be successfully challenged by other Umno leaders in the next party election, and be replaced as a result.

There is a lot at stake here. Umno might experience yet another internal strife, which will threaten the stability of the government as a whole. If at the same time, other Barisan Nasional parties are also at war over succession problems, BN would easily collapse, and it will take many years for them (and the country, assuming that no meaningful alternative government is 'electable' to replace them) to recover.

This is crunch time for Malaysia. A strong, wise, united and patient leadership — by all political leaders, not just the old and new PM — is called for.