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Malaysian prime minister resigns Malaysian prime minister resigns
(about 1 hour later)
Malaysia's King has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, paving the way for his deputy to take over.Malaysia's King has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, paving the way for his deputy to take over.
Mr Abdullah, whose Umno party suffered in polls last year, announced earlier that he planned to quit on Thursday, transferring power to Najib Razak.Mr Abdullah, whose Umno party suffered in polls last year, announced earlier that he planned to quit on Thursday, transferring power to Najib Razak.
The party, in power since independence in 1957, faces internal divisions as well as a strong opposition challenge.The party, in power since independence in 1957, faces internal divisions as well as a strong opposition challenge.
Controversy has dogged Mr Najib, who earlier took over as party leader.Controversy has dogged Mr Najib, who earlier took over as party leader.
Correspondents say Abdullah Badawi will be remembered for allowing more public freedom than his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad.Correspondents say Abdullah Badawi will be remembered for allowing more public freedom than his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad.
But he was seen as failing to fulfil his promises to eradicate corruption, reform the judiciary and strengthen the police and civil service.But he was seen as failing to fulfil his promises to eradicate corruption, reform the judiciary and strengthen the police and civil service.
Warning to partyWarning to party
Last week, Mr Abdullah gave a strongly worded warning to the party congress.Last week, Mr Abdullah gave a strongly worded warning to the party congress.
Najib Razak has said he wants to do more for minoritiesNajib Razak has said he wants to do more for minorities
He said Unmo (the United Malays National Organisation) would perish unless it stopped suppressing dissent, jailing opponents and discriminating against Malaysia's minority Chinese and Indian communities.He said Unmo (the United Malays National Organisation) would perish unless it stopped suppressing dissent, jailing opponents and discriminating against Malaysia's minority Chinese and Indian communities.
Mr Najib told the BBC last year he would do more to address their grievances.Mr Najib told the BBC last year he would do more to address their grievances.
Anger has been growing over laws that favour the Malay majority in business and education.Anger has been growing over laws that favour the Malay majority in business and education.
In the general election of last March, the ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in parliament.In the general election of last March, the ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in parliament.
However, it did get 139 MPs in the 222-seat body, giving it a simple majority.However, it did get 139 MPs in the 222-seat body, giving it a simple majority.
Mr Najib is expected to take over as prime minister on Friday.Mr Najib is expected to take over as prime minister on Friday.
He has described allegations concerning the murder of a Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, as "malicious baseless lies".He has described allegations concerning the murder of a Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, as "malicious baseless lies".
Two policemen who used to be in his protection team are on trial for the killing of the 28-year-old while one of Mr Najib's senior aides admitted having an affair with the woman.Two policemen who used to be in his protection team are on trial for the killing of the 28-year-old while one of Mr Najib's senior aides admitted having an affair with the woman.
Ms Shaariibuu had accompanied Mr Najib as a translator when he, as defence minister, negotiated a controversial submarine deal in France in 2002. Ms Shaariibuu reportedly accompanied Mr Najib as a translator when he, as defence minister, negotiated a controversial submarine deal in France in 2002. Mr Najib denies ever meeting Ms Shaariibuu.