Pak Lah can stay on as PM if he wants to, says Ku Li

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi does not need to step down as the Prime Minister after Datuk Seri Najib Razak takes over as party president in March.

“That is his prerogative, he has received the mandate for five years,” said Razaleigh in response to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s contention that Abdullah was still interested to remain in power after the party polls.

He also admitted that he would continue to support Abdullah’s leadership in the government in his capacity as an MP.

“He commands the confidence of the majority of the MPs. And the Prime Minister is appointed by the King and not by the Umno General Assembly,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

The Kelantanese prince however was quick to add that he has no intention of quarreling with the former Prime Minister, who he challenged for the party’s top post in 1987 but lost by 43 votes.

He added that with a weakening Umno, there is no relation now between the party presidency and the premiership.

“Umno today is not as strong as it used to be, we are only in control of 30 per cent of the seats,” said Razaleigh.

By Adib Zalkapli
Malaysian Insider
03/12/08