Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today warded off repeated attempts by the press to discover if he has decided on a deputy or if he would reshuffle the cabinet.

Fielding questions at a press conference at office in Putrajaya, Abdullah said several times that the public would know of his decision when he makes an announcement on the matter.

"I am not making any cabinet appointments or reshuffling for the time being. There is no need to speculate. I will surely appoint and I will choose a person who can help me and give good leadership by example," he said.

Speculation has been rife as to who would be Nn 2 since ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad named Abdullah as his successor.

Among the three elected Umno vice-presidents contending for the post, Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak is considered the most likely candidate.

The other two are Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhamad Muhd Taib

However, Abdullah's silence on the matter has prompted rumours that he might also be considering others such as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim or International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Abdul Aziz.

Elections timetable

Meanwhile, Abdullah also refused to be drawn into saying whether he intended to settle the issue only after the upcoming general election.

"I have not made any decision on this yet. Be patient. There are a lot of things that I have to do," he said when pressed.

Asked whether elections could be called by the end of this year, the prime minister responded: "At the moment, I am not certain yet whether we would have it this year. But you never know."

On another matter, Abdullah spoke confidently on his ability to juggle his responsibilities as premier together with his other portfolios as the head of the Home and Finance Ministries.

He pointed out that at the Ministry of Finance he had the assistance of a second minister, two deputy ministers and a parliamentary secretary, while at the Home Ministry, he still has the support of two deputy ministers and a parliamentary secretary.

"They are people who can be made to work harder," he quipped.

Abdullah, who was already home minister prior to his appointment as prime minister last Friday formally assumed the post of finance minister as well on Monday.

He is scheduled to attend his first briefing at the Finance Ministry next Tuesday.