Governing party postpones Malaysia leadership election

Malaysia’s prime minister says the ruling party has postponed elections to choose its leaders from December to March.

The decision by the United Malays National Organisation comes amid calls by dissidents in the party for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down earlier than his deadline of 2010

Mr Abdullah told reporters today that postponing the elections would allow him to leave office early. He did not elaborate.

He also did not say whether he would contest the post of party president in March.

Traditionally, the UMNO president becomes the prime minister.