Badawi says he might resign before 2010

Malaysia's prime minister, facing a resurgent opposition and rebellious colleagues in the ruling party, said yesterday he may relinquish power to his deputy before his previous deadline of 2010.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also said he handed over his finance ministry portfolio to his deputy Najib Razak yesterday. Abdullah will take the less important defence ministry from Najib.

"I will not be staying more than 2010 naturally. If I should want to go earlier, that is (possible). That is a flexibility that we have arranged," Abdullah told a news conference with Najib.