KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad has resigned as Barisan Nasional and Umno secretary-general with immediate effect, saying he would not be able to work effectively without a Cabinet post.

Radzi, the former Home Affairs Minister who retained his Kangar parliamentary seat in the general election, explained that he would not be able to perform for several reasons.

"One is because I was dropped from the Cabinet, but there are other reasons as well," he said.

Asked if his exclusion from the Cabinet line-up showed that his services were no longer needed, Radzi replied, "You could look at it that way if you want to."

He added that he was not pressured into resigning but admitted that pressure was always there as a politician.

Radzi said his resignation should not be seen as a split in Umno or the work of certain factions and hoped party members would accept his decision with an open heart and not speculate about it.

"This is a normal process of rejuvenation for the party. Someone new will come in, who will strengthen the party. I am not disappointed. In politics, you cannot be that way. Life goes on," he said.

Radzi said he had telephoned Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday morning and that the Prime Minister had accepted his decision to quit.

He said he had also sent his resignation letter to Abdullah.

"He (Abdullah) did say however that he would continue to listen to my advice in the future. It has been a wonderful four years and I thank the leaders for placing their trust in me."