KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia's No. 2 leader appeared close to securing the top post in the ruling party Sunday, making him a virtual lock to succeed the unpopular prime minister by April.

Party representatives from 116 branches of the United Malays National Organization have nominated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to become the party's next president, according to the party's official count.

Najib should have no trouble winning the post unopposed ahead of the party's elections in March. He will have an unassailable lead once he clinches 134 nominations.

His sole rival - Razaleigh Hamzah, a veteran lawmaker and a prince in the royal family of northeastern Kelantan state - has received only one nomination so far over the past month.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently announced he would not defend his presidency of the party. Support for Abdullah has slumped since he led the governing coalition to its worst results ever in March general elections.

Abdullah has pledged to hand power after the ruling party holds its national congress and party elections March 24-28, 2009.

Every prime minister since independence in 1957 has been the head of the Malay ruling party, which spearheads a 13-party multiethnic governing coalition.

The coalition's popularity has plunged amid ethnic disputes, a weakening economy and corruption claims. It returned to power with only a simple parliamentary majority in March.