Malaysian PM flags early departure

Source The Age
by Hamish McDonald
MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, under attack from within and without his party, has ceded more power to his deputy and said he may step down earlier than a previously agreed date of June 2010.

Mr Abdullah said he was swapping the key finance ministry for the less important defence portfolio with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, his designated successor since a dramatic setback in elections in March.

Depending on Mr Najib's performance, he might hand over power earlier. "I will not be staying more than 2010 naturally (and) might go earlier," Mr Abdullah said.

The Prime Minister has refused to meet former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who claimed on Tuesday to have enough defections from Government ranks to his People's Alliance opposition coalition to form a Government.

"There is no reason for me to meet him because I don't think he has the names," Mr Abdullah said last night. Media controlled by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition said Mr Anwar was bluffing.

Mr Anwar said he would not reveal the list of defectors before meeting the Prime Minister for fear they would be "harassed'.

Mr Abdullah is under strong attack within the United Malays National Organisation, the main component of Barisan, for perceived weakness that has frayed relations between UMNO and its Chinese-based partners. But enhancing the role of Mr Najib may add more problems. Though an UMNO blueblood as son of Malaysia's second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak, the 55-year-old has been beset with scandals during his past nine years as Defence Minister.
He has been accused of channelling $US300 million ($A378 million) in kickbacks out of deals to buy fighter jets, submarines and patrol boats for Malaysia's forces.
A close aide and two bodyguards are also on trial for the 2006 murder of Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, whose body was blown up with military explosives.

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