Mahathir affirms Abdullah as successor, praises deputy

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Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has affirmed his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his successor and praised Abdullah for a "good job" in running the country while he was away.

"He has done very well. He conducted cabinet meetings, those of Umno and everything else... never consulted me, did not bother me... very happy, no phone calls," Mahathir was quoted as saying by today's New Straits Times upon his return from a one-month vacation abroad.

"I am very glad. It just goes to show that this country can be managed because the system and policies have been put in place."

Umno is the United Malays National Organisation, which is the linchpin of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

Separately, the newspaper also quoted Mahathir as telling the Al-Jazeera Television in a recent interview in London that Abdullah would succeed him as the country's next premier.

"Now it is Abdullah Badawi. He is my deputy and if I relinquish my post, he will be the person to replace me," the premier said.

Undecided on future

But the 76-year-old Mahathir, who has been in power for more than 20 years and is Southeast Asia's longest serving leader, said he has not decided whether he would contest the 2004 general elections.

He said he would decide "when the time comes."

"I also need to get the views of the other Umno members. If they want me to step down, I will do so. If they want me to stay, I will continue with my duties, I will heed the party's wishes."

The government's five-year term is due to end in late 2004. (AFP)



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