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| Najib appointed new Malaysian PM | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The new Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has been sworn in. | The new Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has been sworn in. |
| He takes over as the head of government at a time when the country and its main governing party, Umno, are facing big challenges. | He takes over as the head of government at a time when the country and its main governing party, Umno, are facing big challenges. |
| The Malaysian economy is suffering, and last year the ruling party - which Mr Najib now leads - lost its crucial two-thirds majority in parliament. | The Malaysian economy is suffering, and last year the ruling party - which Mr Najib now leads - lost its crucial two-thirds majority in parliament. |
| That defeat led to the decision of the previous Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, to resign. | That defeat led to the decision of the previous Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, to resign. |
| Mr Najib is also facing claims of corruption and an opposition allegation linking him in some way with the murder of a Mongolian woman - all of which he has strenuously denied. | |
| Challenges | Challenges |
| "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 at a ceremony overseen by the king. | "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 at a ceremony overseen by the king. |
| "I will be true to Malaysia and will defend and uphold the constitution," he said. | "I will be true to Malaysia and will defend and uphold the constitution," he said. |
| The ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) is bitterly divided and has been told by Mr Badawi that it must reform or lose power. | The ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) is bitterly divided and has been told by Mr Badawi that it must reform or lose power. |
| Mr Najib's challenge will be to galvanise the party and reignite its links to broader Malaysian society. | Mr Najib's challenge will be to galvanise the party and reignite its links to broader Malaysian society. |
| Recent Malaysian reports suggest he has already taken steps in this direction by visiting Malaysian Chinese newspapers and speaking of the need to unite Malaysia's many races and groups. | Recent Malaysian reports suggest he has already taken steps in this direction by visiting Malaysian Chinese newspapers and speaking of the need to unite Malaysia's many races and groups. |
| Malaysia also faces intense economic problems as its exports decline amid the world financial meltdown. | Malaysia also faces intense economic problems as its exports decline amid the world financial meltdown. |
| Last month he unveiled a stimulus package worth $16.2bn (£11bn). | Last month he unveiled a stimulus package worth $16.2bn (£11bn). |
| Mr Najib's first test of his own popularity will be during three special elections - one for Parliament and two for state assemblies - on 7 April. | Mr Najib's first test of his own popularity will be during three special elections - one for Parliament and two for state assemblies - on 7 April. |
| Mr Najib comes from a respected political dynasty and is the son and nephew of two former prime ministers. | Mr Najib comes from a respected political dynasty and is the son and nephew of two former prime ministers. |