(The Sun) KUALA LUMPUR (April 14, 2008): Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today he will work out the leadership succession plan with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak after the party elections in December.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians and state assemblymen in the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) today, Abdullah declined to give a timeframe for the transfer of power because he wanted a smooth transition.
“Of course, I want the transfer to be smooth,” said Abdullah. “The party has to be in good condition and not in disarray. That is the way. If not people will ask - where is Pak Lah, did he stop suddenly?”
Abdullah said this was also the way it was done during former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s time. Mahathir had taken nearly a year from the time he announced his intention to step down before he actually handed over power to Abdullah in October 2003.
Asked about calls by some division leaders for the succession to be expedited, Abdullah said: “Some say it should be soon, some say there should not be any hurry. There are many opinions and I’m not deaf, I have two ears and I hear them.”
When commenting on party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin's call for an immediate change to the party leadership, he said: “They can say anything they like, the decision is mine. If people have some things to say, let them say it, this is democracy.”
Asked if he will contest in the December party elections, Abdullah retorted: “Why shouldn’t I contest, you tell me.”
Asked if the transfer of power will be done anytime before 2010, he said: “I can’t comment on that, sorry.”
On the Johor delegates' meeting over the weekend, he said they had pledged their support for him.
He said he had received a standing ovation in today's meeting with the parliamentarians and state assemblymen, adding that the meeting was a briefing for the BN representatives on their roles in parliament and to the rakyat.
Abdullah said the parliamentarians should be well versed in the policies of the government, and equip themselves with in-depth knowledge on the topics being debated on in parliament and in the state assemblies.
Najib, when approached for comments later, said anything to do with the transition of power will be discussed with Abdullah when time comes.
"Most importantly, we must ensure the transition takes place in a good and arranged situation, so that the party will not have any problems in the process of transition and the strength of the party will continue to be guaranteed."
On whether the transition should be speeded up, Najib said "the prime minister has the wisdom to decide the time and method."
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