Mahathir promises no interference with administration after retirement

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 27, 2003

Mahathir promises no interference with administration after retirement

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Monday promised that he would not interfere with the running of the country after stepping down from the post on Oct. 31.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Monday promised that he would not interfere with the running of the country after stepping down from the post on Oct. 31.

"After the 31st (of October), I have no right to decide on anything. I will step back and will not interfere with the administration of our country," Mahathir said in his speech at thepresentation of the Treasury's Outstanding Service Awards here.

Mahathir, who has been in power for 22 years, announced his decision of retirement in June last year. However, he later agreedto postpone his retirement till October this year to ensure smoothtransition of power. Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been confirmed as his successor.

Mahathir, who is also the Finance Minister, called on all the ministry's staff to give their full commitment and cooperation to continue the success of the country under the stewardship of his successor.

The Prime Minister said those who would be taking over the administration should be allowed the chance to implement their tasks without any interference.

Mahathir said Abdullah was expected to continue the efforts andpolicies decided by the government which were based on the principle of collective responsibility upheld by the Cabinet.

He said the running of the country was not based on the sole decision or action of an individual as alleged by the foreigners.

"As if our country is administered by a dictator who forces allparties to do what they do not wish to do. That is (foreign) allegation and is baseless," he said.

Mahathir said even though there was a change in leadership, it did not mean that everything changed.

"We will see that definitely the methods will be different, thestyle different but the policy is the same, the same approach, thesame objective," he said.

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