Abdullah's second man still unknown

Abdullah's second man still unknown

Eileen Ng, Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur

Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was firmly entrenched on
Wednesday as Malaysia's new leader from October 2003 but this has
thrown open a new issue: who will be his number two?

Malaysians are looking for clues as to who will be the new
second-in-command and next in line to the premiership after
coming to terms with the shock resignation of Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad after 21 years at the helm.

Mahathir, upon his return home from a 10-day holiday early
Wednesday, pledged his full support for Abdullah as his successor
and said he would ensure there was no power tussle for the number
two post.

Officials say the mild-mannered Abdullah, 62, whose ability to
fill the shoes of his mentor has been questioned, has the
prerogative to pick anyone he desires to be his deputy.

But he may not have a chance to exercise his power as UMNO is
due to hold triennial leadership polls in June next year.

Many observers however, believe that the party polls may be
postponed to make way for a snap general election before Mahathir
steps down, although it is not due until late 2004.

Strong contenders for the number two post are the three
current UMNO vice presidents -- Defense Minister Najib Razak,
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Mohamad
Yassin and Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

Many see Najib as the frontrunner after being passed over by
Mahathir, who picked Abdullah as his deputy following the sacking
and jailing of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

The 48-year-old Najib, who as the son of Malaysia's second
prime minister has a headstart over the others, won the highest
number of votes during 2000 party polls among the three UMNO vice
presidents.

Analysts said Najib's appointment would help Abdullah keep a
lid on party unity and establish his control over UMNO by
reducing the prospects of internal convulsion.

"Who becomes deputy is crucial as it is the stepping stone to
the presidency and Abdullah is seen as an interim transitional
leader," an Asian diplomat told AFP.

"Najib is the best suited man for the job for the sake of
party unity. The general assessment is that Najib's boys will not
let things lie if he is passed over again for the number two
post."