Malaysia PM may quit in June 2009

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi may quit in June 2009, earlier than the 2010 date planned, according to a proposal to be discussed at an emergency meeting of his UMNO party today.

Abdullah had asked the supreme council of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) to move back leadership elections to next year from December to avoid a contested vote in which he may have been forced out, a senior party official said.

"The idea to push back (the party annual meeting) was the prime minister's idea... The 2009 plan and the move to delay the (UMNO) annual general meeting may not go down well with the party grassroots," said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.