Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Thu 10 Oct 2008Malaysian PM to step down in March, paving way for deputy to take over
MALAYSIAN PRIME minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced yesterday that he will step down in March, paving the way for his deputy, Najib Razak, to take over the premiership, but falling short of resolving a growing political crisis in the southeast Asian country.
The move averts the possibility of a split in Mr Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, which forms the core of the National Front coalition that has ruled Malaysia since it became independent in 1957.
Choose a Subscription type - required
