Kuala Lumpur: Admitting responsibility for his ruling coalition's poor election results, Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said "reforms and changes" needed to be undertaken, and hinted at discussing a plan how to hand over power to his successor.

"I admit, I was one of the causes for these losses. I also understand that there are many things that need to be done. There are many reforms and changes that need to be done, such as reforming the judiciary, fighting corruption, reducing crime and improving the public delivery system," Abdullah was quoted as saying by media in Johor Baru yesterday.

"There are also other issues that need to be tackled that are related to inter-racial relations and religious freedom," reports quoted him as saying.

The ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional, for the first time in its history, lost five states to the opposition and also one third of the seats in parliament in the March 8 polls.

The Star newspaper said that during the three hour meeting between Abdullah and party leaders yesterday, the premier had indicated that he would "have to discuss succession plans with his deputy Najib Tun Razak." The paper quoted partyman Shahrir Samad as saying that the malay party UMNO would working together with Abdullah till the party elections this December "after which Abdullah will sort out the succession plans with Najib."

Abdullah said he felt responsible to now work towards rehabilitating the party despite calls for his resignation. The premier, who also heads the United Malay National Orgnaisation (UMNO) which is a majority component of the Barisan Nasional (BN), also vowed to revive BN and Umno by delivering on his past promises. 

Source : PTI