Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he hoped his retirement in October next year would come before the general elections are held.

"I will step down in October whether there is general election or not, but I would rather step down before the election," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

An election is not due until late 2004 but there has been widespread speculation it would be held next year, either before or immediately after Mahathir hands over power to his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The 76-year-old veteran leader reiterated that he would not stand as a candidate for parliament in the elections, but would participate as a party supporter to ensure the victory of his Barisan Nasional coalition.

Mahathir, who has ruled this Southeast Asian country for 21 years, shocked the nation when he announced in June that he would quit all top political posts.

He has said he would not play the sort of role assumed by Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who remains a senior government minister with a seat in parliament despite stepping down from national leadership. AFP