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KUALA LUMPUR - FORMER prime minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said his handpicked successor Abdullah Badawi should quit to comply with a 'gentleman's agreement' struck in 2003.
Datuk Seri Abdullah, 68, was never meant to serve more than one term, said Tun Dr Mahathir, who went on to suggest that he relinquish power to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, 54, after the upcoming election.
'I did say Abdullah should stay on for one term and, after the term expires, Najib should be ready and able to take over,' he said, but added he could not prove that the pact existed.
The former premier's latest comments came a day after he said he would remain a thorn in the side of his successor in the run-up to the polls, a promise he appears to be keeping.
The two men have had a very public falling out since Datuk Seri Abdullah took over in 2004.
The current Malaysian leader angered his predecessor by reversing some of his investment policies. Tun Dr Mahathir, in turn, has accused Datuk Seri Abdullah of having achieved nothing in his first term.
Tun Dr Mahathir, who had previously said he made a mistake in picking Datuk Seri Abdullah, explained the rationale for the 'agreement'.
He told a press conference: 'That was my thinking, since (Abdullah) was older than Najib, he should be PM for one term and then Najib should be able to take over.
'I know it takes time to implement plans and projects but I think if that is to be used as an excuse to stay in power for 18 years, then that will not be very welcome.'
In recent months, Prime Minister Abdullah has faced a wave of public protests over the rights of minority ethnic Indians, electoral reform and rising food and fuel prices.
Yesterday, Tun Dr Mahathir said the opposition was likely to win more seats in the next election.
'They see a government that is retreating and they want to take advantage,' he said of recent street rallies.
BLOOMBERG, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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