BREAKING NEWS!

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will relinquish all Umno and government posts in October next year. No specific date has been set but he is expected to step down after Malaysia hosts the Organisation of Islamic Conference, to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 24-25, 2003.

He named Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his successor.

Umno's secretary-general Mohd Khalil Yaakob made the announcement after the hour-long party supreme council meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said all members of the powerful supreme council the party's highest decision-making body endorsed the succession plan which will be put in place over the next 15 months.

"He (Mahathir) has scheduled his resignation after the OIC summit... Until then, he will retain all his posts, including that of finance minister," he told reporters in a packed conference room after the conclusion of the special supreme council meeting.

The media briefing at about 5.45pm was aired live over RTM, TV3 and ntv7.

Mahathir will also go on leave for two months during the 15-month transition period. During his absence, Abdullah will be acting party president and prime minister.

Polls at end 2003?

Last Saturday at the close of Umno general assembly, Mahathir's announcement that he was quiting sent shockwaves across the country.

However, following a one-hour private meeting with several senior Umno leaders led by Abdullah soon after, Mahathir agreed to retract his resignation. His intentions were then relayed to Umno delegates by Abdullah.

The senior leaders met Mahathir again at his official residence in Putrajaya on Sunday morning to stitch a succession plan before the premier left for Italy for a private holiday with his family.

On Monday, the supreme council announced it would meet the following day to discuss the transition plan.

Reading from a prepared statement after the meeting today, Khalil said, "He (Mahathir) explained that after relinquishing all his posts in Umno, BN and the government, he will continue to contribute his energy and views for the party's development.

"He wants all members to cooperate and strengthen the party to ensure the success of Umno's struggle."

Pledges of support

At the press conference, the three party vice-presidents Najib Abdul Razak, Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin and Muhammad Muhd Taib Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz and Youth chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein also made short remarks pledging their full support and respect for Mahathir and his decision to quit.

Abdullah said the time-frame given by Mahathir for his eventual departure would allow for a smooth transition.

"He will not be here for 10 days, but he has given me the go-ahead to make any decisions I deem necessary.

"When he takes the two months' leave, I will be formally appointed as acting prime minister and subsequently, whenever he goes on leave, I will be acting PM. As of now, I'm still his deputy," he said, stressing that he will not make any new policies in the next 15 months.

No undue concern

Abdullah also pledged to carry out his duties to the best of his ability, and said he would not cause any undue concern to the 76-year-old premier when he is on leave.

"Whenever any decision needs to be made, I will make it," he vowed.

"Since two months' leave is a long time, I will keep him informed of what happens in the country and the government.

"This is not the time for me to overshadow him or project myself above him and lay down new policies because the president and prime minister has to be respected."

He also dismissed questions pertaining to a possible power struggle during next year's general assembly and the date for the general election, saying that the matters were not discussed with Mahathir on Sunday.