Malaysian veteran Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in remarks published Sunday that his decision to step down on October 31 after 22 years in power was final.

"I may be healthy but I have been prime minister for too long. It's time I move on and pass the job to someone else," he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times .

Continue serving Umno

But Mahathir,77, promised to continue serving his United Malays National Organisation ahead of general elections widely expected to be called early next week.

The Southeast Asian leader has pledged to hand over the reins to his deputy and anointed successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. - AFP