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No early poll, says Badawi

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Jan. 7. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, today announced the elevation of the Defence Minister, Najib Tun Razak, to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. Mr. Najib will continue to hold the Defence portfolio. He is the son of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

Mr. Abdullah, who succeeded Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister on October 31 last year, had so far kept his political associates guessing about his choice for the second-ranking executive position. While political pundits in the region interpreted Mr. Abdullah's move as a possible signal for an early general election, several months ahead of the due date later this year, he played down such suggestions by saying he merely felt the need to have a deputy.

At a press conference today at Putrajaya, the seat of Malaysia's Government, Mr. Abdullah said that "if the election is going to be (held) so soon, there is no need for me to make appointments''. The appointments included that of a Minister of Special Functions in the Prime Minister's Department. There were no changes involving those holding key portfolios including the Foreign Affairs. Mr. Abdullah will continue to look after the Home and Finance portfolios.

Characterising the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister as a need-based arrangement, Mr. Abdullah drew attention to his intense work schedules both at home and as regards foreign affairs in the specific context of Malaysia's chairmanship of both the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the non-aligned movement.

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