Malaysian PM to Step Down in March

By VIJAY JOSHI / AP WRITER

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's embattled prime minister says he will step down in March—four years before his term ends—and hand power to his deputy.

The announcement by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was expected. He was facing calls to step down after leading the ruling National Front coalition to its worst electoral performance during general elections in March.

The 13-party National Front has been in power since independence in 1957. It is dominated by Abdullah's United Malays National Organization.

Abdullah said Wednesday he will not defend his post as party president in March to save the party from splitting. Instead, he will nominate Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The party leader automatically becomes the prime minister.

The influential Malaysian Insider news Web site, which is known to have strong sources in the prime minister's inner circle, reported that Abdullah was until late Tuesday being urged by a small group of supporters to stay in office, but he had decided to go.

"He ... seemed determined not to be remembered as the man who destroyed the party for his own interest," it said. "He has told aides and party officials that a battle for the top position will leave UMNO badly scarred and in a weak position to fight off the opposition challenge."

Months of turmoil in UMNO have followed the March 8 election results that have threatened its position as the dominant political force in the country.

Its claim to represent the majority Malays was questioned after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim drew away many Malay voters to his multiracial coalition, the People's Alliance. It won a combined 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament, up from 19 seats held by the opposition earlier.

Anwar is now threatening to bring down the government with parliamentary defections from the National Front.

But analysts say Anwar will have a much tougher fight on his hands if Najib becomes the prime minister.

"The sooner Najib takes over, the less likely for (Front lawmakers) to jump ship," said Mohamad Mustafa Ishak. "Anwar knows Najib is a tough guy."