While Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement today will go a long way towards pacifying his critics, it has come at a difficult time for his challenger in Umno, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Although no directive has been given for a no-contest for the top two Umno posts, the prime minister's announcement on the succession plan may deter some divisions from putting forward another name.

At the press conference today, both the president and his deputy agreed on the handover date and their intention to support one another in the December polls.

tengku razaleigh interview 010806 joking On his part, Abdullah reiterated his intention to contest as president while Najib Abdul Razak offered himself as deputy president.

This was made known to the supreme council and a special briefing involving divisional leaders at Putra World Trade Centre this afternoon.

In an immediate reaction, Razaleigh said: "This handover thing is unconstitutional and it is not something that should be passed down from one leader to another.

"The matter of Umno's presidency and in turn, Malaysia's prime ministership, should be endorsed by the grassroots," he told Malaysiakini from Kota Baru.

The 71-year-old said today's announcement did not affect his plan to contest the Umno presidency.

"I will continue fighting for the president's position. What was endorsed or decided by supreme council today does not portray the wishes of the grassroots.

Asked whether he would be seen as going against the president- elect, Najib Abdul Razak, he answered "no".

"I think my chances are better after this announcement. Initially, Najib's supporters want him to run for president but now that he has voiced his intention to stay as deputy, they will pick me instead of Pak Lah," he added.

According to the Umno constitution, candidates for the president's post must obtain 30 percent of the total 191 divisional nominations.

Abdullah to quit in 2010

muhyiddin yasin muhyiddin yassin Abdullah announced today that he will hand over his position in Umno to Najib in June 2010.

The party president has been under pressure to quit or hand over the reins early ever since Barisan Nasional's setback in the March 8 general election.

Besides Tengku Razaleigh, the handover deal has also thrown a spanner in the works for another possible challenger for the deputy president post, Muhyiddin Yassin.

If the grassroots accept the handover pact, Muhyiddin will have to wait another three years before he can vie for the position.