Faced with persistent questions over the likelihood of turmoil in the wake of the leadership transition in October, an Umno vice-president lashed out at people who attempted to erode confidence in the government.

Muhyiddin Yassin said the persistent talks that the country would face political and economic turmoil is a deliberate attempt by certain groups to erode people's confidence in the government.

"History has shown that the country's administration has never been affected, even slightly, due to the change in leadership," he was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

"In fact, it has enhanced government administration to safeguard the people's welfare from the Tunku Abdul Rahman era till the time of (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad," he added.

For example, he noted that the country had continued to progress in leaps and bounds over a period (since Independence) which saw three transitions in the top leadership post.

Muhyiddin is one of three Umno vice-presidents eyeing the post of deputy prime minister to future premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Although pressure has come from various quarters, Abdullah had steadfastly refused to name his chosen deputy at least until he assumes the premiership following the Mahathir's planned retirement in October.

Mahathir himself had named another Umno vice-president Najib Tun Razak as the most qualified contender to the post.

The premier also hinted at possible upheaval in the country following his resignation.

At the start of the Umno General Assembly two weeks ago, both Muhyiddin and Najib declared that they would not challenge Abdullah's choice of deputy.

No pro-tem committees yet

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who was in Kota Kinabalu, said he had also met with Umno divisions in Sabah to convey the message to division leaders and members to strengthen the party.

"I told them that this is the right time to strengthen the party, avoid internal bickering and focus attention on the imminent state election," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

"I also touched on the need to increase party activities at the grassroots level to turn Umno into a truly people-friendly party. The leaders should solve the issues over delays in projects which have been promised to the people," he added.

The Sabah state election is due to be held before April 2004. The last state election was held six months before the general election in November 1999.

In another development, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Umno has not yet decided on the formation of pro-tem committees for the 25 new Umno divisions created as a result of the recently approved re-delineation of electoral boundaries.

On Thursday, the Dewan Rakyat voted to amend the Federal Constitution to increase the number of parliamentary seats to 219 seats.

The Election Commission's redelineation plans were passed during the last parliamentary sitting in April in face of a walkout by opposition parliamentarians.

The motion was passed with 144 votes out of a total of 194.