Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was set to announce Thursday plans to retire in June 2010, news reports said.

Abdullah, who has been fighting criticism and calls to step down following his ruling coalition's dismal performance during the March 8 election, was expected to make the announcement after a party meeting later Thursday, the Star daily quoted sources as saying.

Last month the embattled premier announced he had fixed a handover date to his deputy Najib Razak, but said it was not yet time to announce the details.

According to news website Malaysian Insider, Abdullah decided to finally announce a date as part of efforts in "reducing the level of political uncertainty in the country and the expected jostling for senior positions ahead of party elections in December".

The ruling National Front coalition suffered its worst setback in 50 years during the recent elections, losing five states to the opposition and failing to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Many top leaders within his ruling United Malays National Organisation have been calling for Abdullah, who was chosen to succeed former premier Mahathir Mohamad in 2003, to step down since the election results.

There has also been growing public discontent against his leadership, following a massive 40-per-cent hike in fuel prices last month and increase in the crime rate in the country. (dpa)