By NNN-Bernama
Putrajaya (Malaysia) : Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said there is no question of him resigning as the Malaysian Prime Minister because he is still getting strong support especially from Umno leaders.
Umno is the leading party in the ruling 14-party national front, Barisan Nasional (BN).
In fact, Abdullah said he would seek an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysian King) Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara (National Palace) Monday for the swearing-in as the Prime Minister.
He said this at his official residence, Sri Perdana, here in response to rumours that he was being pressured to step down.
“I will not step down from any post because I feel no pressure,” he said a day after leading the BN in securing a new mandate in the general election Saturday.
He also said that Umno leaders had expressed their support for him to continue as Prime Minister.
Abdullah, who is also Umno president, expressed his gratitude to the people who had supported the BN to enable it to form the government.
He also thanked the security forces for ensuring that the election process went smoothly.
He said the Election Commission (EC) had in fact discharged its responsibilities with transparency and trust which was proven when the opposition also won.
Abdullah promised Umno supporters that he will continue to fortify and strengthen the party and BN.
Speaking to about 1,000 party supporters at Seri Perdana, he also pledged to implement the coalition’s election manifesto to make the country safe, peaceful and prosperous.
“We want to continue with our agenda for development to make sure that the people continue to enjoy the fruit of the nation’s progress.”
Abdullah admitted that he had received a number of text messages from people who wanted to know if he would resign.
Abdullah said: “I don’t know why the need for me to resign; our party won… although not with a two-third majority, we won (the election).”
“My spirit remains strong and now with your support, it’s getting stronger. I will say this… I will continue with the struggle and I will not resigned,” he said.
Abdullah also called on party members to cooperate to strengthen the party.
Present at Sri Perdana to voice their solid support for Abdullah were his deputy, Najib Tun Razak, Umno vice-president Muhyidin Yassin, Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz and vice-chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Umno supreme council member Khaled Nordin, newly-elected Tasek Gelugor member of parliament Nor Mohamed Yakcop and former information minister Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.
Hishammuddin said Umno Youth was solidly behind the Prime Minister.
“Umno Youth is solidly behind the top leadership and will continue to give its support (to Abdullah),” he said.
Kadir said the question of the Prime Minister resigning did not arise because Abdullah had led the Barisan Nasional (BN) to win in the general election.
“There’s no necessity for the BN to secure a two-third majority to form the government. A simple majority is sufficient,” he added.
On Saturday election, BN secured 140 of the 220-seat parliament while 82 seats went to the opposition parties of pas (23), DAP (28) and PKR (31).