By Jane Ritikos

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: There is no need to have an acting Prime Minister in the absence of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said that while it was rather unusual for him and the Prime Minister to be overseas for a few days simultaneously, it proved that the country was stable.

"I think it will be all right. It is the mark of a stable nation," he told reporters after opening the inaugural Asia-Pacific Regional Water Conference 2008.

He said that normally one of them would remain in the country at any one time.

However, Najib said it was unavoidable this time as he had to attend the 16th Apec Economic Leaders meeting in Lima, Peru, at the same time when Abdullah was on official visits to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Najib left for Peru last night while Abdullah is expected to return on Friday.

"We will be in close communication with the people here as well as with the Prime Minister, so if anything happens we can relay instructions," he said.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang raised the issue when he said that both leaders would be away for at least two days and asked why this standing rule had been broken.

Najib also said that he wanted Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and her deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to sit down and discuss issues about the movement's transition plan. He said this was one way for Wanita to find a solution to the problem.

On the Selangor Government taking over Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Najib said the Federal Government was still discussing with Selangor and an announcement would be made by year's end or early next year.

Earlier in his speech, Najib said that the development of water supply and sewerage facilities under the Ninth Malaysia Plan would still progress, as there was a dire need to improve rural and urban water systems for the people.

He said the Government would implement the public private partnership concept to enhance economic activities and create more employment opportunities.