Ending months of uncertainty, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday agreed on a plan to hand over power to his deputy, taking full responsibility for the disastrous election results.
Badawi said he and his deputy Najib Razak, have decided on the "right time for me to hand over the premiership to him", but did not divulge any details.
The prime minister assured party officials at a private meeting today that he would discuss a succession plan with his deputy Najib Razak, a party official was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Badawi said some officials in the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party had asked him to accept responsibility for the ruling coalition's poor performance in general elections in March.
''There have been demands. I feel I am the reason for the spoiled votes for the (ruling coalition) and I feel responsible to do what's best to rehabilitate the government," he said.
Reiterating that he and Najib enjoyed good working relations, Badawi said they have mutually agreed on the "best time" for a leadership transition.
"The leadership change will definitely take place at the right time," he said.
Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad said details of how and when Abdullah will hand over power would be finalized after the UMNO holds its annual congress in December.
Najib said in London that he would not challenge Badawi for power because as a "true Umno man" he would not risk destroying the party his father had built.
Earlier, Badawi had rejected plans to relinquish power saying he could discuss a transition only after the December internal leadership polls.
Badawi, who took office in October 2003, suffered setbacks when his party lost two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as control of five state legislatures following massive anti-government protest.
He said he wanted to remain in power for a while longer to try and resolve public grievances about issues such as corruption, crime and racial disputes.
''I have to discharge my duties and I feel duty-bound to ensure that all problems are resolved. That is the priority."
Badawi also said that people should stop speculating on his relationship with Najib as such talk was of no benefit to anyone.
''It's important for everyone to see the relationship between me and Najib as very crucial to strengthen UMNO and the government and to implement the development projects and programmes that have been planned," he said.
"Najib and I have decided on the right time for me to hand over the premiership to him. We've no problems and we enjoy good working relations," Badawi said.
International Trade Minister Muhyiddin indicated that no deadline has been set for Badawi to step down, saying ''the period of transition and so on were not mentioned in detail" during the talks.
