'If they (party rivals) have the support and are ready to challenge me, why not? Go ahead. I'm not going to run away,' he told a news conference after chairing a meeting of his Umno party's Supreme Council.

He disclosed that the council had decided to hold elections for top office-bearers during its annual congress from Dec16 to 20 - four months later than previously planned.

The 68-year-old leader has seen his authority rapidly eroded since his ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition lost its traditional two-

thirds majority in the March election, although it was returned to power with a simple majority. The BN also lost control of five states.

The double defeat was the coalition's worst electoral performance in the 51 years it has been in power.

The mauling at the polls has led to uncertainty about the future for Datuk Seri Abdullah, who replaced long-time leader Mahathir Mohamad in 2003. Tun Dr Mahathir as well as his son Mukhriz are among those calling for his resignation.

Other critics include Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a once flamboyant Kelantan prince and former prime minister who has publicly said that he plans to challenge Datuk Seri Abdullah for the Umno presidency.

Whoever is Umno president becomes prime minister by virtue of the fact that the party is the biggest component of the BN coalition.

There were indications of dissatisfaction with Datuk Seri Abdullah's leadership after plans to postpone the party polls first emerged. At least three Umno chiefs made it clear they were not in favour of it.

One party division, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur, went further, calling for open polls. Under the system, any challenger to the party president must first secure the backing of at least 30per cent of Umno's 191 divisions, or 58 divisions.

According to a new online daily, The Malaysian Insider, a poison pen letter is being circulated to all 3.2 million Umno members aimed at undermining the party president.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE