21 September 2008

ABDULLAH'S OPTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s hopes of engineering a graceful departure on his own terms are fast fading in the face of widening discontent in the ruling Umno and the growing threat of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim taking over the government.

There is speculation that Abdullah will bring forward his plans of handing over power in 2010 to as early as next month, or at least declare that he won't seek re-election as Umno president when the party holds its elections in December. The Umno president traditionally assumes the premiership.

His closest aides concede that his options are narrowing.

“He has the next three weeks to decide whether he sticks to his retirement plan or declare that he will go sooner,” says a close friend of Abdullah, who asked not to be named.

The associate and other close aides say that Abdullah wants to stick around so as to push ahead with reforms, particularly of the country's much-criticised judiciary.

But his ability to do so will depend on whether he is able to secure the necessary number of nominations from Umno's divisions to defend his post as party president. Umno divisions will begin their meetings early next month. ... selanjutnya di TMI

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