Prime minister-in-waiting Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in remarks published today said he would name his future deputy after two by-elections on July 18.

Abdullah, 62, who is to take over as premier from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in October 2003, said he would consult the incumbent and the three vice presidents of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) on the matter.

"I will only make the announcement after the by-elections and after a meeting with Dr Mahathir," he was quoted as saying by The Star .

"I have already had a discussion with him on the matter and I will confer with him again."

Mahathir, 76, said Sunday that Defence Minister Najib Razak was the most qualified and most experienced to become the new deputy premier but stressed it was up to Abdullah to make the final decision.

He said he had named Najib, the senior most among the three Umno vice presidents, to prevent a tussle for the post.

Eyes on the polls now

Najib, 48, who is the son of Malaysia's second prime minister - has been part of Mahathir's cabinet for more than 14 years.

Abdullah said he would give full attention to the polls before naming his successor.

"The concentration must be given there and only after that, I'll decide on a suitable time," he said.

The two seats fell vacant with the death of PAS leader Fadzil Noor last month.

The by-elections in Mahathir's home state Kedah are seen as a test of Umno's strength against the hardline PAS in the bid to woo rural Malays, who make-up the bulk of voters.

It is also a crucial test for Abdullah, 62, whose ability to fill the shoes of his mentor has been questioned, analysts said.

PAS made strong gains among the Malay majority in 1999 elections but analysts said the tide has turned against PAS, which wants to create a theocratic Islamic state, because of fears of Islamic extremism in the wake of last year's terror attacks on the United States.

However, other analysts said the true test would come in general elections which have to be called before November 2004 but there has been rising speculation of a snap election before Mahathir steps down. -AFP