KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said it is up to him to decide when to hand over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Umno president said he was aware of the grassroots sentiments and was keeping his ears close to the ground.

"I am paying heed to what is happening and the current situation.

"And whatever decision I make, I will discuss it with Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) and then bring it up to the Umno supreme council," he told a press conference after chairing a council meeting yesterday.

Abdullah reiterated that he would contest the Umno presidency in the December party elections, pointing to the fact that he had made that clear at a press conference the previous day.

He said the Umno divisions had not started their meetings yet and he would continue to implement what was needed.

Divisions are due to hold the meetings from Oct 9 to Nov 9. Nominations for party posts would be made then.

"If I want to make another statement (on the transition at a later date) that's up to me.

"I will discuss it with Najib. There is no need to keep asking about it like as if you don't understand," he said.

Abdullah is to hand over the Prime Minister post and Umno presidency to Najib in June 2010.

On Wednesday, however, he said it could possibly be sooner.

On the association of Barisan former MPs and assemblymen's call for him to step down, Abdullah dismissed it, saying:

"Let them say whatever. They are pensioners after all."

On a different matter, he said four members would be sacked from Umno for supporting the opposition during the general election.

"One is from Beluran and another three from Beaufort divisions. Letters will be sent out to these members. Appropriate action will be taken against them."

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the members would be dismissed because they contested under the opposition banner.

On whether Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's application to rejoin Umno was discussed, Abdullah said: "It was not brought up."