KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - Najib Razak was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister Friday, assuming charge of reuniting a fractured ruling party and shoring up an economy in crisis.
Najib took the oath of office in front of the Malaysian king at a palace ceremony in Kuala Lumpur broadcast live on national television.
The transfer of power follows the resignation Thursday of his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who analysts say failed to live up to his promises during six unremarkable years in office.
"I, Najib Razak, who has been chosen to hold the post of prime minister, swear that I will carry out the responsibilities which I have been entrusted with to the best of my ability," the 55-year-old said.
"I will be true to Malaysia and will defend and uphold the constitution."
In his first act as premier, Najib announced in an eight-minute live broadcast to the nation that he was revoking the ban on two newspapers and releasing 13 people held under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said the government would also conduct a comprehensive review of the ISA, which critics say has been abused by the government to silence opponents.
"These decisions are timely as we move to enhance the confidence of our citizens in those entrusted with maintaining peace, law and order," Najib added.
Officials said the two papers were Suara Keadilan, run by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Keadilan party, and Harakah, published by the Islamic party PAS, which had been banned for three months earlier this month after they reported on a political crisis in northern Perak state in February.
Anwar had called for Najib to release all political detainees held under the ISA but said he expected the new premier to take a tough stance against critics.
The new premier has rejected charges that his administration would adopt hardline tactics, including the detention of its opponents, under the internal security laws.
Najib's accession to the premiership completes a transition triggered by elections last year when the ruling United Malays National Organisation party (UMNO) slumped to its worst ever performance.
Abdullah, who was widely criticised as weak and ineffective, agreed several months ago to step down amid the fallout from those elections, which reshaped Malaysia's political landscape.
Najib, who was Abdullah's deputy and finance minister, became president of UMNO last week at its annual assembly, which was dominated by debate on how to overhaul the party and reclaim popular support.
According to Malaysian political tradition, the party leader takes on the country's premiership at the head of the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional coalition.
Najib, the son and nephew of two former prime ministers, has said he will focus on uniting the multi-racial nation after ethnic minorities shifted to the opposition in the 2008 polls.
Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays, and the country's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities fear their rights are being eroded as it becomes increasingly "Islamised."
Najib also faces the challenge of cushioning the country's economy from the impact of the global economic crisis, which has sparked the loss of more than 26,000 jobs here since the beginning of the year.
Last month he unveiled a stimulus package worth 16.2 billion dollars, but has warned that Malaysia's export-driven economy could shrink by 1.0 percent this year despite the massive spending.
Najib took the oath of office in front of the Malaysian king at a palace ceremony in Kuala Lumpur broadcast live on national television.
The transfer of power follows the resignation Thursday of his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who analysts say failed to live up to his promises during six unremarkable years in office.
"I, Najib Razak, who has been chosen to hold the post of prime minister, swear that I will carry out the responsibilities which I have been entrusted with to the best of my ability," the 55-year-old said.
"I will be true to Malaysia and will defend and uphold the constitution."
In his first act as premier, Najib announced in an eight-minute live broadcast to the nation that he was revoking the ban on two newspapers and releasing 13 people held under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said the government would also conduct a comprehensive review of the ISA, which critics say has been abused by the government to silence opponents.
"These decisions are timely as we move to enhance the confidence of our citizens in those entrusted with maintaining peace, law and order," Najib added.
Officials said the two papers were Suara Keadilan, run by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Keadilan party, and Harakah, published by the Islamic party PAS, which had been banned for three months earlier this month after they reported on a political crisis in northern Perak state in February.
Anwar had called for Najib to release all political detainees held under the ISA but said he expected the new premier to take a tough stance against critics.
The new premier has rejected charges that his administration would adopt hardline tactics, including the detention of its opponents, under the internal security laws.
Najib's accession to the premiership completes a transition triggered by elections last year when the ruling United Malays National Organisation party (UMNO) slumped to its worst ever performance.
Abdullah, who was widely criticised as weak and ineffective, agreed several months ago to step down amid the fallout from those elections, which reshaped Malaysia's political landscape.
Najib, who was Abdullah's deputy and finance minister, became president of UMNO last week at its annual assembly, which was dominated by debate on how to overhaul the party and reclaim popular support.
According to Malaysian political tradition, the party leader takes on the country's premiership at the head of the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional coalition.
Najib, the son and nephew of two former prime ministers, has said he will focus on uniting the multi-racial nation after ethnic minorities shifted to the opposition in the 2008 polls.
Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays, and the country's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities fear their rights are being eroded as it becomes increasingly "Islamised."
Najib also faces the challenge of cushioning the country's economy from the impact of the global economic crisis, which has sparked the loss of more than 26,000 jobs here since the beginning of the year.
Last month he unveiled a stimulus package worth 16.2 billion dollars, but has warned that Malaysia's export-driven economy could shrink by 1.0 percent this year despite the massive spending.
On be behalf of FTS we like to express our congratulation to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak & Family.
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