Mahathir to retire on Oct. 31: Report<\/p>\n
MALAYSIA: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad plans to
\nstand down at the end of next month after 22 years in power,
\nlocal newspapers reported on Sunday.<\/p>\n
It is the first time the 77-year-old Mahathir -- one of the
\nworld's longest serving leaders -- has given a definitive date
\nfor his retirement, although he has long made it clear he wanted
\nto stand down before the end of the year.<\/p>\n
The New Straits Times was one of three newspapers which on
\nSunday reported Mahathir telling journalists in Monte Carlo that
\nhe would hand power to deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the end of
\nOctober.<\/p>\n
\"It will be the last day of October,\" the pro-government
\nnewspaper quoted Mahathir as saying after meeting a group of
\nMalaysians studying abroad.<\/p>\n
Mahathir has previously said he had no intention of seeking
\nany influential political role following his retirement -- unlike
\nLee Kuan Yew did in neighboring Singapore in 1990, becoming
\nSenior Minister after stepping down as Prime Minister.<\/p>\n
He has also rejected suggestions he might consider a more
\ninternational role, such as head of the Organization of the
\nIslamic Conference (OIC).<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to escape from the frying pan into the fire,\" he
\ntold the Financial Times in an interview last week. \"I've had
\nenough of boiling, cooking in the last 22 years. -- Reuters<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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