Leadership change before elections, says Shahrir - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The change in the Umno leadership can take place any time as long as Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has sufficient time to prepare for the next general election, supreme council member Datuk Shahrir Samad said.

Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru MP, believed the handing-over of leadership by party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should happen before the 13th general election.

“Some people may think it is way too long and want the power transition to happen sooner. Well, this is just my view,” he said when asked to comment on when the transition should take place.

“I believe the successor is quite happy to work with the Prime Minister. He is comfortable with the partnership,” said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.

On calls for Abdullah to resign, Shahrir said the party was not leaving it to the party president to find the remedy but instead, “we are doing it together.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/17/nation/20978303&sec=nation]