MUAR: Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has accepted the succession plan between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Muhyiddin said his job now was to help smoothen the process since the prime minister had made his decision to hand over the post of prime minister, chairman of Barisan Nasional and president of Umno to Najib in June 2010.

"I will assist the new leadership to expedite the return of confidence to party members and members of other BN component parties," he said after opening the joint annual meeting of the Pagoh division Umno, Wanita, Youth and Puteri branches in Pagoh here yesterday.

"We want to wrest the lost seats in the next general election."

Muhyiddin, who is also international trade and industry minister, said when he heard of the transition plan while leading a trade mission to Japan, he felt the time frame was too long.
"After considering the amount of work Najib has to learn from Pak Lah, especially to strengthen solidarity in Umno and Barisan Nasional and fulfil the pledges made in the last general election, I think the two-year period is adequate."

Muhyiddin said he had yet to decide whether to seek re-election as party vice-president.

"I will consider thoroughly all feedback from members in view of the succession plan.

"It is not the right time for me to announce my decision."

On media speculation on his future, Muhyiddin said in politics one could not speculate or make decisions based on emotion. "I have to face facts. I am contemplating the steps to build a strong and united Umno and BN to face the next general election."