Top Umno leaders have pledged not to fight for Umno's No 2 position which falls vacant when deputy premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi becomes party president October next year.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad relayed the promise made by the leaders in a media conference beamed live from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang this morning. He had just returned from a 10-day holiday in Italy.

"I have been informed [by top Umno leaders] over their agreement not to jostle for posts in the party as this will lead to untoward incidents," he said.

Later when addressing about 5,000 supporters who have turned up to welcome him, Mahathir said it was good that the party leaders have chosen not to fight for Umno's second post which makes the holder the nation's deputy prime minister to ensure unity and a smooth leadership transition in the party.

Mahathir said he has given full support to Abdullah to take over the premiership next year.

"I am convinced that Pak Lah will get full support to lead Umno and Barisan Nasional," he said.

Not augur well

Mahathir said leaders jostling for power would not augur well for Umno as they have a big task ahead to bring Malaysia into a developed country status by 2020.

"If the country leaders can get full support, Malaysia should be able to become a developed nation soon," said Mahathir, amid shouts of "Long live, Mahathir!" and "Long live, Barisan Nasional!"

The supporters, some of whom were at the airport as early as 5am, also carried banners professing support for Mahathir, who touched down at 8am.

Thanking his supporters, Mahathir said it was their undivided support that allowed him to lead the country in harmony. In his short speech to the crowd, he also reminded Malaysians to be grateful that the leadership transition was progressing without any untoward incident like what had happened in other countries.

Remain as Kubang Pasu MP

At the media conference earlier upon his arrival, Mahathir said he was relinquishing all posts in Umno, Barisan Nasional and the government, but would continue being the member of parliament for Kubang Pasu.

When asked about his unfinished speech during the dramatic close of the Umno General Assembly, Mahathir said he had wanted to name Abdullah as his successor as it was Umno's tradition for the deputy president to take over from the president.

Mahathir stunned the delegates with his quit announcement but broke down in tears immediately and was ushered to a private room behind the podium. He left for Italy the next day without explaining to the nation the reasons for his surprised resignation.

Full support

"I give my full support to Pak Lah as acting [Umno] president and prime minister," he said.

Mahathir said the main criteria for selecting Abdullah to replace him was because he has been the deputy president and both of them have been working together for quite a while.

"Abdullah has also expressed his willingness to take over [the party president and prime minister posts]," added Mahathir.

According to party constitution, the president and deputy president posts must be contested, but this has not been a practice since 1990, following a virulent contest that almost broke up the party in 1987.

The Umno president and the deputy president also hold the nation's prime minister and deputy prime minister posts respectively.

Mahathir said he would continue to contribute to the party after his resignation. However, he hinted he has no desire to take on a role similar to Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.