Abdullah steps down (Updated)

(Updated 12:58pm, 2 April 2009)

Abdullah Badawi and the Agong (Agong pic source: parlimen.gov.my)

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 April 2009: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara today to hand over his resignation letter as prime minister.

Abdullah also sought consent to appoint Datuk Seri Najib Razak as his successor.

“It’s a matter for Tuanku,” he told reporters after the meeting which lasted about an hour.

Abdullah arrived at Istana Negara in his official car, a Proton Perdana bearing the number WCH 13, at 10am and left at 11am, waving to tourists and the 70-odd foreign and local journalists who had gathered at the palace gate as early as 7.30am.

Najib arrived at the palace 30 minutes later for his audience with Tuanku Mizan.

He did not take any questions from the waiting journalists and only said “thank you” and waved as he left at about 12.15pm in his Proton Perdana WRP 11.  

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said in a statement yesterday that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had given his consent for Najib to be sworn in as prime minister at 10am tomorrow at Istana Negara. — Bernama