The resignation of a cabinet minister charged in a sweeping crackdown on corruption led by new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has sent a wave of jitters through the country's political elite.

Newspapers, opposition parties and ministers themselves were speculating feverishly Wednesday over who would be next after Lands and Cooperative Development Minister Kasitah Gaddam quit the cabinet.

"One of the hottest questions in Malaysia now is who is going to be nabbed for corruption," Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the opposition DAP told AFP . "A lot of people are looking at cabinet ministers."

More cases

Two ministers appeared to acknowledge that they are seen by many as possible targets.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz warned : "If I hear any slander against me, I will sue, that's all I can say. Don't slander me as you like."

Entrepreneur Development Minister Nazri Aziz said : "I know when the news came out that a minister was caught for graft, many thought it was me."

Nazri denied that he had resigned, saying he would "not run away from challenges," the Malay Mail reported.

The speculation has been fuelled by law minister Rais Yatim, who said at the weekend that 18 more high-profile corruption cases were awaiting further action.

Top priority

Abdullah, who has made rooting out graft a priority since taking over from veteran prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last October, said Kasitah resigned Tuesday so he could "focus on clearing his name in the court case".

Kasitah, 56, was charged last week with corruption over a share transaction by the state-owned Sabah Land Development board involving up to RM40 million and dating back several years.

He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of RM1million..

The move against Kasitah was the second high-profile arrest last week over alleged corruption during the period when Mahathir was in power.

The former head of troubled steel giant Perwaja, Eric Chia , was earlier charged with embezzling RM76.4 million, eight years after an investigation was launched into Malaysia's biggest financial scandal.

And on Tuesday, Shaharin Shaharudin, 46, the former chief executive officer of Perbadanan Nasional Bhd, a state-owned investment agency to help entreprenuers, was charged with corruption involving RM460,000.

Doubts

The swift action by Abdullah has surprised critics who were sceptical of his repeated pledges that he would be ruthless with corrupt officials.

Many doubted his ability or willingness to take on powerful forces within the government and the faction-ridden ruling Umno, which had been accused of graft for years.

While the arrests have been widely welcomed by opposition parties, economists and western diplomats, some have expressed doubts over how far the crackdown will go.

"Malaysians expect a clean-up at the highest level. If it does not happen, it will be a hollow campaign," Lim said.

He called on the government to announce the names of ministers who are being investigated to clear the rest of the cabinet.

"If among the 18 cases, there are ministers involved, they must be named. The government must be truthful about it." - AFP