The Hindu : Mahathir to step down in Oct.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

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International

Mahathir to step down in Oct.

KUALA LUMPUR MAY 8. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, on Thursday revealed details of his plans to retire after two decades in power, and lavished praise on his anointed successor for capably filling in while he was on vacation.

Mr. Mahathir said he would step down by the end of October — but indicated it would not be immediately after an Oct. 11-14 summit of leaders from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. ``I hope to resign after the OIC meeting but I have been requested to stay on by some countries,'' Mr. Mahathir was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama.

But Mr. Mahathir (77), said his current Deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, would be Malaysia's new leader. Mr. Mahathir, Asia's longest-serving elected leader, stunned Malaysia when he announced during his ruling party's annual convention last June that he was stepping down. A transition plan was announced for Mr. Mahathir to hand over power to Mr. Badawi after the OIC summit.

— AP

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