Malaysian leader announces he'll step down in March

Published Wednesday October 8th, 2008
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's embattled prime minister says he will step down in March - four years before his term ends - and hand power to his deputy.
The announcement by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was expected.
He was facing calls to step down after leading the ruling National Front coalition to its worst electoral performance during general elections in March.
The 13-party National Front has been in power since independence in 1957.
It is dominated by Abdullah's United Malays National Organization.