Najib deeply touched?

Deeply touched? I thought he already 'knew' that he was to be number 2 till Abdullah steps down! Don't be so 'touched' yet, Dr M said you will not become PM in the end...didn't you read his blog? Looks like Abdullah has a trick or two which the population may not think he is capable of.

Friday July 11, 2008

Abdullah to contest Umno top post, Najib to go for No. 2

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will step down as Prime Minister in June 2010 and hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Abdullah, who is Umno president, said he would seek nomination to contest the party’s top post in the December party elections and Najib, who is his deputy, would go for the number two party post.

He, however, said he would not be leading Barisan Nasional into the next general election because by that time, the country would have Najib as its new Prime Minister.

“I appreciate his friendship and co-operation and we work well together in the party and Government.

“I chose Najib to be my successor because I am confident that he will be able to lead the party well,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Abdullah made the announcement after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting and a briefing with division chiefs and leaders from the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings.

He believed the Umno divisions accepted his transition plan well because “they gave me a standing ovation.”

On his decision to quit as Prime Minister, Abdullah said: “I feel a bit of sadness of course but nothing more than that because I feel more a sense of achievement.”

He said he felt that the transition should be carried out through a process which was well accepted by Umno so that the successor “can be the leader of the whole party and not to half a party or to geng dia saja (only his gang of supporters).”

Explaining why he chose the two-year time frame, Abdullah said this would give him enough time to carry out the various projects and programmes which he had planned together with Najib.

It would also give him time to strengthen and restore the party.

“It will also give Najib ample time to prepare and be ready for the general election which must be held by 2013,” he added.

Abdullah denied he was bowing out due to pressure. He also denied his decision to step down was a victory for the opposition.

“One day, I have to hand over my post to my successor and this is the way I choose. It is a process and this process takes some time and it is comfortable for all.”

Abdullah brushed aside suggestions that his plans to hand over power to Najib would be affected by the case of the murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

To a question whether his successor would continue all projects started by Abdullah, he said he believed that those that produced good results would go on.

“But I will not insist. Once someone else takes over and runs the government, he (the new Prime Minister) will be running it the way that he thinks best.”

Asked if he would change his mind about quitting, Abdullah said: “No. I have made my decision.”

On party elections in December, Abdullah said the supreme council meeting did not make any “no-contest” ruling.

He said divisions were still free to nominate whoever they wanted.

Kedah became the first state to endorse the transition plan during its state liaison meeting in Kuala Lumpur last night chaired by its chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Friday July 11, 2008

Najib: I’m deeply touched to be Pak Lah’s successor

KUALA LUMPUR: Deeply touched. That is Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's feeling at being handpicked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to be his successor.

“It is not an easy matter to step down as Prime Minister and Umno president but because he has taken into consideration the views of the public, he is willing to do so and I am deeply touched,” he said yesterday.

“I feel even more (touched) when Yang Amat Berhormat has given me the confidence.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Umno number two said that during the two-year period, Abdullah would outline their respective roles and duties.

“I still consider him my leader.”

Najib said the decision yesterday signalled the beginning of the transition process in an organised manner, which was according to Umno tradition.

He added he had enjoyed a close relationship with Abdullah and wanted it to continue during the transition period and beyond.

“I hope our relationship will last insya Allah (God willing). Umno needs the full support of present and past leaders.”Najib said Abdullah's decision showed that the transition process would be smooth, without compromising traditions and the image of the party or any leaders.

He said that he had told an earlier briefing with leaders from the respective wings and division chiefs to support Abdullah's nomination as Umno president in the coming party elections.

“I also appealed that the transition plan be accepted by the party,” he said.

He said he had also offered himself to contest as deputy party president and hoped members would be able to accept him in that capacity.

The Star