KUCHING: The decision by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to defend his post as Umno president and to step down as prime minister next March will not weaken the relationship between the federal and state government.

The decision is also not likely to affect the economy of the country or the confidence of foreign investors and the private sector.

Two state cabinet ministers, Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Dato Sri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Housing Minister Dato Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg are of the opinion that Abdullah’s decision would ensure a smooth power transition ‘for the sake of the country’.

Johari believed that the decision would not affect the country’s economy and ‘will not scare away foreign investors nor losing the confidence of the private sector in the country’.

“The decision (not to contest) will not affect the economy of the country because Abdullah has made a good political move in announcing his successor during the power transition period, and in the process has emphasised  on policy continuity…  and  this is what foreign investors and the private sector want to see,” Johari said  to reporters at Tengah’s Hari Raya open house on Wednesday night.

The Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Muhammad Salahuddin and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah attended the open house.

Johari believed that Abdullah’s successor would be able to continue with his policy and to face the future challenges.

“I believe that he (Abdullah) has considered all factors (before coming to the decision not to contest) for the good of the country, Umno and for everyone of us.

“And Najib (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), as expected, would continue to face the future challenges,” he said.

Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president believed that Abdullah must have considered all factors before making the decision.

Tengah, meanwhile said the state would continue to give strong support to Barisan Nasional (BN) and whoever was the country’s prime minister.

“We (the state) and PBB will continue to give strong support to BN and our leaders,” said Tengah, who is also PBB senior vice president at his Hari Raya open house when met by reporters for comments.

Tengah also said that the state was looking forward to a continuous and strong relationship between the federal and state governments, which was crucial for the country to develop further.

The Minister of Public Utilities also hoped that the power transition would give another impetus to strengthen relationship between all BN compoment parties.

Tengah also believed that Umno had ‘a great interest to look after the party and will always make it a priority to strenghten it’.

“I believe that Umno always takes keen interest to look after the party and what happen in the party’s March elections is to further strengthen the party,” he said.

Tengah also said that the state respected the decision made  by  Abdullah   to ensure a  smooth  power  transition.