Abdullah to seek audience with Agong on Thursday (Update)

The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is stepping down on April 2, which is next Thursday.

The former Umno president made the announcement in his last address on the final day of the 59th Umno General Assembly here on Saturday.

He said he would seek an audience with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin that day to tell him of his intention to resign as Prime Minister.

“I hope that the official handing over ceremony can be held on the same day,” he said.

There was an applause from the delegates, when he made his announcement, which was towards the end of his speech.

Later, when asked to explain at his press conference on what would happen on April 2, Abdullah said he would meet the King to inform him of his intention to quit.

“I do not want to say anything more for the time being as it will be up to the King’s discretion to decide,” he said.

Abdullah had announced last year that he would not be defending his party post and would hand over the leadership of the country to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

For the past few months, the handover date had been the topic of speculation and discussion.

Abdullah, however, had refused to reveal the date until Saturday.

Abdullah admitted that he felt “in a way relieved” that he had finally made the announcement.

Asked why he was being exceptionally calm at an emotional moment like this, Abdullah smiled and said: “That’s me. Not really (sad). I will still be in Umno and I am still a division leader in Penang.

“Perhaps I would like to hand over my post to them later. It’s not a goodbye in a sense that I will disappear into space or leave the country for a journey around the world.”

Abdullah said he would continue to contribute to the party because when one was a fighter for the party, he would “forever be one”.

On whether he would join Barisan Nasional leaders in their campaign for the by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai, Abdullah said he would be “away on a break then.”

Asked if he would start blogging his opinions and views like his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah said he would not be doing so.

Abdullah took office as the country’s fifth Prime Minister in October 2003, taking over from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Abdullah has had a colourful political career, having served under all four previous Prime Ministers, first as a young civil servant, then as part of the ruling coalition and as Deputy Prime Minister.