Mahathir backs Abdullah

Mahathir backs Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Veteran Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Saturday he had been in power long enough but refused to set a date for his retirement.

He also gave full backing to his deputy premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take over.

Mahathir told the annual meeting of his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) that "whether I am (party) president or not" he would support UMNO and its chief.

"Nineteen years as prime minister is long enough, it's time to give a chance to others," he added.

Mahathir said he now planned to delegate his government duties to other ministers to ease his heavy workload.