Malaysia's Prime Minister announced Saturday he will resign April 2 and hand over power to his deputy, completing a transition one year in the making after the ruling coalition's shock drubbing in general elections, Associated Press reported. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi relinquished the presidency of the United Malays National Organization party, which leads the ruling National Front coalition, earlier this week to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak. In keeping with tradition, the party chief also becomes prime minister. «I wish to retire with a feeling of peace. I want to carry no negative emotions with me,» Abdullah said, choking with emotion in a speech wrapping up the party's annual congress. Abdullah, 69, said he will meet Malaysia's king, the constitutional monarch, on April 2 to convey «my intention to relinquish my responsibility as the prime minister.» He said a ceremony to hand the reins over to Najib will be held later but gave no date. Local media speculate it will happen April 3.
