Mahathir names deputy as his successor<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
\nMohamad said on Thursday his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will
\nsucceed him if he steps down, ending speculation on his choice of
\na successor ahead of party elections.<\/p>\n
Mahathir said he believed his United Malays National
\nOrganization (UMNO), the dominant party in the ruling National
\nFront coalition, would back Abdullah as his successor at its
\ntriennial polls next year.<\/p>\n
UMNO is due to hold its annual convention in June and pick
\ncandidates for the post of president, deputy president and vice-
\npresident, which it does every three years.<\/p>\n
A local newspaper said recently that the convention might be
\nheld earlier but Mahathir, the party's president, said the date
\nhas not been decided.<\/p>\n
\"UMNO will determine the question of succession,\" the 74-year-
\nold Mahathir told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"Of course, if I step down now, Dato Abdullah will take over.
\nBut I think UMNO will back Dato Abdullah as successor.\"<\/p>\n
Mahathir, speaking to reporters, gave no hint when he would
\nstep down.<\/p>\n
It was the first time Mahathir had specifically mentioned
\nAbdullah, 60, as his successor. He had previously said his deputy
\nwould normally take over leadership of the country after him.<\/p>\n
Mahathir, in office since 1981, is Asia's longest-serving
\nelected leader.<\/p>\n
His reference to Abdullah is significant because during
\nMahathir's 18 years as premier, three heir apparents have been
\ncast aside, including Anwar Ibrahim who was sacked last year
\nafter five years in the job and later jailed for corruption.
\nAbdullah was appointed deputy prime minister in January.<\/p>\n
For Abdullah to succeed Mahathir, he has to first contest the
\ndeputy presidency of UMNO vacated by Anwar and later attempt the
\npresidency, or go straight for the top post in the coming polls.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't considered anything at all,\" Mahathir said when
\nasked about the likely date of the party elections. \"I think we
\nhave plenty of time.\"<\/p>\n
Analysts said Mahathir's comments would help ensure a smooth
\ntransition of power in what he has said would be his last term.<\/p>\n
Malaysian shares barely reacted. The benchmark Kuala Lumpur
\nStock Exchange's Composite Index was down 1.69 points at 786.22
\nat midday, although food products firm Dewina Bhd., controlled by
\na brother and son of Abdullah, jumped 9 percent.<\/p>\n
Analysts said Dewina stock moved on retail speculation the
\ncompany could benefit if Abdullah did succeed Mahathir. Company
\nofficials could not be immediately reached for comment.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know if many people take the news too seriously
\nbecause nobody is discounting the fact that Mahathir can pull any
\nsurprise he wants to,\" a securities analyst said.<\/p>\n
\"But it could help to allay some fears of the succession
\nissue,\" the analyst said.<\/p>\n
Investors fear political instability could arise if there is a
\nprolonged battle within UMNO for the country's top job.<\/p>\n
Anwar, the most charismatic of Mahathir's deputies and former
\nheir-apparent, was jailed in April. Anwar accused his rivals of
\nframing him with allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of
\npower after a public fall-out with Mahathir.<\/p>\n
Mahathir said Anwar was morally unfit to remain in office.
\nProfessor Shahril Talib, executive director for the Asia-Europe
\nCenter at Universiti Malaya said like Anwar, Abdullah had led a
\nnational association of teachers, which has played a crucial role
\nin Malaysia's politics, and also influenced Moslem movements in
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
\"His credentials are almost a carbon copy of Anwar,\" he said.
\nAnwar was UMNO's deputy president before he was expelled from his
\npolitical posts and the party. Abdullah, one of three UMNO vice-
\npresidents, is acting as deputy president.<\/p>",
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