Kuala Lumpur  - In a rousing speech marking his resignation as party president, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Thursday called on the ruling party to work at rebuilding its badly bruised image and focus on leading the nation.

Abdullah was emotional and struggled to hold back tears throughout his opening speech of the general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

"I've been privileged to see developments and growth within UMNO over the years, and to be involved in the party's struggles," Abdullah said.

However, Abdullah said the party's popularity today was at an all-time low, and urged delegates to unite in making the party relevant to the masses.

In his speech, Abdullah said UMNO was currently facing "a test of credibility that is extremely heavy."

He said the party, which is the backbone of ruling the National Front government, had been, for too long resting on its laurels and failed to address the real needs of the people.

UMNO and the National Front have been in power for all of the country's 52-year history.

"We have been overcome by greed, by in-fighting," Abdullah said. "We have failed to manage our own successes."

Abdullah will officially relinquish his post as party president later on Thursday, automatically making way for his deputy Najib Razak to win the post in an uncontested election.

His resignation comes after mounting criticism against his leadership following embarassing losses for the party and the National Front government in last year's general elections.

The three-party opposition alliance managed to wrest control of five of Malaysia's 13 states, and for the first time in history, denied the government a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Abdullah, who initially refused to step down, finally relented following embarrassing public criticism of his performance.

On Thursday, Abdullah defended his service to the party since taking over from former premier Mahathir Mohamad in November 2003.

"I joined the party because I was confident in the party's struggles," he said.

"I have never insulted UMNO, I have never shamed UMNO, and I will never leave it," he said, before choking up before the delegates.

"I've been through political hardships, but a test of our loyalty is only when we face struggles."

Typically, the UMNO president is elected prime minister and the choice of top party leaders are also closely watched by Malaysia's public as many end up holding senior government posts.

While Abdullah has yet to announce the actual date his hand-over of the premiership to Najib, local sources have said it could be as early as next week.

Almost 2,500 delegates travelled from all over the country to gather in the capital Kuala Lumpur for the annual congress.

Delegates will spend the next two days debating current and party issues, before Najib is due to deliver the closing speech Saturday as new party leader. (dpa)