Azeez Rahim Putera Umno

PENANG, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was forced to retire against his will at a time not of his choosing.

He said the abrupt and undignified nature of Abdullah's departure was a sad reflection of his weakened political position that lost him the respect of his party.

"Unlike his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah was forced to retire against his will at a time not of his choosing," he said in his statement released here by his office.

Ironically, he said, the public respected Abdullah more than his party, Umno, because he was seen as a "well-intentioned man who is probably one of the few clean leaders left in UMNO".

"Abdullah should leave a legacy of fighting corruption by having open tender and taking action against the leaders in Barisan Nasional (BN) and UMNO who abused power," he added.

Lim was commenting on the prime minister's decision not to defend his Umno presidency in the coming party elections.

After chairing the BN supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre today, Abdullah announced that he would not defend his post as Umno president and would step down as prime minister in March next year.

Meanwhile, in KOTA BAHARU, PAS' spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat described Abdullah's quit decision as too late, unwise and not transparent as it would worsen the country's political situation.

"If he quits next March, it is as though he has not done wrong but if he really feels responsible for the state of his party and country, he should step down now," he said.
Asked on the transfer of leadership to Najib, Nik Aziz declined to comment.

In ALOR STAR, the PAS-led Kedah government expressed hope that Abdullah's successor would continue with the cordial relations with the state government.

Menteri Besar and PAS state commissioner Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said the state government was prepared to deal with anyone appointed as prime minister.

"I do not wish to mind other people's business and this is an Umno matter," he said when asked to comment on Abdullah's decision not to defend his Umno presidency in the party elections in March.

Azizan said the Kedah government had good, cordial relations with the federal government and regarded Abdullah as an exemplary leader with regard to Umno-PAS relations.

"However, when the time comes for Abdullah to step down, he should do it as it is only normal for leaders to come and go," he said.

DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said it would be more difficult for Abdullah to deliver his reform pledges once he announced his exit plan today than when he won the landslide electoral mandate in the 2004 general election.

"But this could still be done if Abdullah is prepared to do the impossible and use his last five months as prime minister to honour all the pledges and promises of the past five years," he said in a statement.

He said this action must be evident from today's cabinet meeting as well as the first day of the reconvened Parliament on Monday (Oct 13), and this will be an honourable exit for the country's fifth prime Minister.

Kenapa adakalanya rasa nak sepak aje pemimpin pembangkang yang kata Pak Lah dipaksa berundur. Buat apa pun salah di mata mereka-mereka ni kan....