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Malaysia

Najib is sworn in with promises to reunite Malaysia

Article published on the 2009-04-03 Latest update 2009-04-03 10:41 TU

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Najib Razak waves from his car after his swearing in ceremony at the palace in Kuala Lumpur on April 3, 2009.(Photo: AFP)

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Najib Razak waves from his car after his swearing in ceremony at the palace in Kuala Lumpur on April 3, 2009.
(Photo: AFP)

The new Prime Minister of Malaysia was sworn in on Friday. Najib Razak takes power from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who resigned on Thursday after six years in power.

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The 55-year-old took the oath of office in front of the Malaysian king. After he had sworn to uphold Malaysia’s constitution, a religious official read several verses from the Koran and prayed for a successful leadership.

Najib has the challenge of bringing a fractured party together and curing an ailing economy. His party, the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), performed badly in the 2008 elections which led to the resignation of Abdullah.

Najib has promised to unite the multi-ethnic population of Malaysia after ethnic minorities deserted Umno at the polls over fears the party was becoming too nationalistic.

Malaysia’s economy has been badly hit by the global slump, losing more than 26,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. Last month Najib unveiled a stimulus package worth 12 billion euros.

Fears have been raised that Najib will adopt hard-line policies against critics, including the press. Last week the government banned two opposition newspapers for three months.

Abdullah was responsible for taking steps towards a more liberal press. Amnesty International has urged Najib to allow further freedom of expression among bloggers, opposition politicians and human rights activists.

Allegations over murder and corruption also cloud Najib’s rise to the premiership. Opposition parties have tried to connect the new Prime Minister to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, the mistress of his close aide, who was shot then blown up with plastic explosives in a clearing outside Kuala Lumpar in 2006.

Najib denies any involvement, but there are calls for the air to be cleared before three crucial upcoming by-elections.