Kuala Lumpur, Oct 29: Winding down his 22-year rule, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad bid farewell to his closest colleagues today at his final cabinet meeting before he retires at the weekend. No major policy changes or new appointments were expected from the cabinet meeting, a weekly event held inside the Prime Minister's palatial offices at Malaysia's gleaming purpose-built administrative capital, Putrajaya.
Ministers, including current deputy leader and the incoming Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, paid tribute to Mahathir and joined in a final photo session with the veteran leader, who formally stands down on Friday. It was the 883rd meeting of Mahathir's cabinet since he came to power in 1981, and support staff presented him with a framed piece of fabric with the figure hand-woven into it, the national news agency reported. Ministers, including Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Defense Minister Najib Razak, also expressed confidence in Abdullah. Muhyiddin and Najib are the leading contenders for the Deputy Prime Minister's post - and potential leadership challengers. Bureau Report