 Print Article
|
The polls will now be held in December instead of in August, as was expected.
Datuk Seri Abdullah has found himself besieged on many fronts after his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered stunning losses in the recent general election, and could face a challenge from Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, 71, for the party presidency.
Asked about possible challenges, PM Abdullah, 68, told reporters after yesterday's Umno governing council meeting: 'If they have the support, if they want to challenge me, why not? I have to face. I am not going to run away.'
In what was seen as yet another blow, he announced that he had accepted the Terengganu palace's choice of chief minister for the state.
After days of a deadlock after the royal house rejected his candidate, the PM said he was accepting its choice to avoid further delays in setting up a government for the oil and gas-rich eastern state.
He also accepted the resignation of a third deputy minister from his government, a mere eight days after his Cabinet was formed.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Ghapur Salleh resigned on Wednesday, and might throw his support behind Tengku Razaleigh.
PM Abdullah is fighting for his political survival after the BN lost its two-thirds majority in parliament and control of five states in the election.
The monarchy has been increasingly asserting its power, with the rulers of Perlis and Terengganu rejecting his choices of chief minister.
Aside from three Umno deputy ministers quitting the government, there have been signs of rebellion within Umno ranks angered by the crushing electoral losses.
Earlier this week, some Umno leaders aligned to the PM broached the idea of postponing the party polls to June next year. It was seen as a bid to enable PM Abdullah to consolidate his position, while allowing anger over the elections to dissipate.
But the idea was met with strong resistance at the grassroots as well as in Umno's powerful management committee chaired by deputy premier Najib Razak.
The party polls will now be held from Dec 16 to 20, with lower-level branch and divisional elections held in July and October respectively.
Tengku Razaleigh must muster support from at least 30 per cent of the 191 divisions before he can qualify to run for the presidency. This is an uphill battle, and he has failed once before.
But he has already begun seeing party leaders, and reportedly met representatives from 51 Umno divisions yesterday at his Kuala Lumpur residence.
If PM Abdullah chooses to hand over the reins, the next in line is his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib. But Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been sounding statesman-like since the general election and has been promoted in the Cabinet, is also being seen as a possible contender for the top job.
But PM Abdullah has said repeatedly that he is not ready to give up the fight, and that he has the support of the party.
