Najib Tun Razak Visits Rotten Streets of KL

Sunday, 26 April, 2009,

According to Malaysian news, so far Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has visited five busy localities in the heart of Kuala Lumpur since he became sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia. Petaling Street aka Chinatown, Kg. Kerinchi, Brickfields or still-not-known-as-Jalan-Tun-Sambanthan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or better known as TAR Road and the smog-filled Puduraya.

All these years living and working in Kuala Lumpur, it appears like only now Najib Tun Razak knows that Kuala Lumpur has congestion problem. I don't blame him because most VVIPs' cars have heavily-tinted glasses and also we normal 'One-Malaysians' have to make way for their cars, each time when they pass by. Plus VVIPs don't have to rely our poor public transport.

But anyway, Najib Tun Razak is much better than all those past and present Federal Territories Minister and Kuala Lumpur mayors. As reported in the Malaysian news, just one hour inspection and this 'One-Malaysia' Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has already saw the traffic congestion and the inefficiency of the public facilities in Kuala Lumpur. Good work Najib!

One Malaysia: An empty slogan disguised as a solution

The thing about slogans is that we often fall into the trap of mistaking them for real solutions. The reality is that slogans by itself are often nothing more than convenient rhetoric with an inside as empty as a pauper’s pocket.

Thus far, One Malaysia has been just that. It is an empty slogan disguised as a solution. Like a lost child, we find it limbering confused and naked along Malaysia’s political road by virtue of it being left without a definition from its maker.

Utusan Malaysia’s whispering Awang Selamat has of course rather kindly ventured its take on One Malaysia and so have many others but until Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak breathes life into it with his own definition, the phrase has no value.

The wait for this may well be in vain. But should an official definition be forthcoming, the hope is that it will firstly describe this One Malaysia entity as something completely blind to race and colour but sensitive to the pain, suffering, potential and aptitude of any ordinary Malaysian.

On the matter of aptitude, it must be said that the new Prime Minister’s decision to apply Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in evaluating the performance of Ministers is one that is both refreshing and long overdue. It is for all intents and purposes the stick that seeks to enforce Individual Ministerial Responsibility.

In a country where the principle of Individual Ministerial Responsibility is almost completely alien, KPIs are the best way to boot out the poor performers. With proper implementation, the days where the Minister of Works keeps his job after a substandard public construction project comes to light is over.

Gone also are the days where the Minister of Youth and Sports manages to remain snug in her seat on the back of an official loss-making tin cup international youth football tournament played to no one in particular.

With any luck, the country will also see the Home Minister being booted out should he bungle up and purport to arrest a person under the draconian ISA “for her own protection”.

Ministers are reminded that Individual Ministerial Responsibility does not only cover his own actions. It also includes the overall performance of his ministry and his official’s actions or lack thereof. Poor marks in any of these areas will result in a lowly KPI which in turn must see the last of the Minister concerned.

Of course no one is holding their breath that the KPI system is going to work. However, putting cynicism aside, it must be said for now that at least there is a system in place. The enforcement is another matter.

Head Ministerial Prefect Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon has an unenviable job. The thought of him actually marking down and disciplining Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz would bring a wry smile to many faces.

At the end of the day though, should the Minister in charge of Performance Management fail to deliver, the new Prime Minister would have to walk the talk and remove him for falling short of his own KPI.

Now that would indeed be a right mess - the Minister in charge of Performance Management being sacked for poor performance.

Speaking of poor performance, the continued failure of the Penang Pakatan Government to appoint a new Deputy Chief Minister to replace Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin smacks of inefficiency. Having incessantly criticised Tun Pak Lah previously for procrastination, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should look himself in the mirror and ask why he too now moves at glacial speeds.

It is no excuse to say that political pressures or internal party issues need to be resolved first. That is not the people’s problem.

Pakatan’s delay in appointing a new Deputy Chief Minister for Penang and also in constituting the long awaited shadow cabinet is unacceptable. This stationary state of affairs must be resolved soon lest the people soon start to actually see little difference between the BN and the PR.

On the subject of delays, welcome back Elizabeth Wong. It took Pakatan long enough to return you to the people of Bukit Lanjan. (By DAVID D. MATHEW/MySinchew)

A Shameful High Court Sentence

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There was no motive. The court doesn't want to know. Probably, these 2 policemen just want to have some fun. Found a Mongolian girl in town, packed her up, drive her to their regular dumping ground, blew her up, and celebrate the extermination with joy, gun shots and probably beer too. Alla-U-abar!

And the court, like the govt, is not interested in preventive actions. Let it happen again, we have the court to deal with it. Let the murders come in, we will just hang them, and then set free upon appeal. If the special squad can do, so can any police special units in every town and every state.

After all, they couldn't have killed, since there is no motive, nothing, to talk about. Set them free. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the real Malaysia I am talking about. The court and govt is inseparable. A corrupt govt will default mean a corrupted court.
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SHAH ALAM, April 9 — The two policemen found guilty today of murdering a Mongolian national may have received the death sentence but it will not erase the negative image of Malaysia globally, said veteran lawyer Karpal Singh.

Wheelchair-bound Karpal, who held a watching brief for the family of the murder victim Altantuya Shaariibuu, applauded High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin’s decision to sentence Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 33, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, to the gallows.

But he said the main issue had failed to be addressed. The two cops were members of the Special Action Squad (UTK), a team that is constantly despatched to guard ministers and other high-ranking government officials but “did not, could not have the motive to commit such a horrendous murder”.

“Obviously, others out there would be responsible and would have the motive to direct such a crime to be committed. To my mind, these two are just the fall guys,” said Karpal, who is also the DAP chairman and a vocal critic against the Barisan Nasional federal government.

Karpal disagreed with the Honorary Consul to Mongolia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, who told reporters the ruling seemed “fair” and claimed Shaariibuu Setev, the murder victim’s father, was “happy” with the verdict when informed over the phone this morning

Karpal admitted to The Malaysian Insider he had yet to speak with Shaariibuu at that point, but thinks neither his family nor the Mongolian government will be satisfied with the conviction and sentencing of the two cops.

“Too many questions left unanswered,” the federal lawmaker added.

The Bukit Gelugor MP said he will continue pushing the High Court for a judicial review against the Attorney-General’s decision not to appeal against political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

Abdul Razak was freed by the same court last October without having his defence called.

The former aide to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, back when he was deputy prime minister, was charged with aiding Azilah and Sirul in the murder of Altantuya, his one-time mistress. A messy break-up led to Abdul Razak’s meeting with the two UTK personnel and which caused him to be dragged into the sordid affair.

Karpal said he is also pushing for a civil suit, filed in 2007 on behalf of Altantuya’s two children, against Azilah, Sirul, Abdul Razak and the federal government.

He urged the federal government to prioritise the judicial review and the civil suit “instead of letting it languish in court a long time.”

“It’s not fair to Altantuya’s children, one of whom is mentally challenged,” he said.

“The case is of such magnitude that the prime minister has to make efforts to erase the negative image and perception of the country in the eyes of the world,” said Karpal.

by Debra Chong

Cops to hang for Altantuya murder

Isn't it strange? Nobody, including the High Court judge raise the question of why these policemen wanted to kill a woman, whom they know not? Nobody raise the question of the motives. And if there is no motives, these policemen should be freed? Or are they leaving it to the Federal Court to do so. Just another wayang-kulit show?


By Debra Chong
SHAH ALAM, April 9 — Policemen Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar were today sentenced to death by the High Court for murdering Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, ending one of the longest trials in Malaysian history.

Azilah, 33, and Sirul, 37, were found guilty of killing Altantuya, 28, and then blowing up her body in a jungle clearing at nearby Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am the next day.

The two members of the Bukit Aman Special Action Squad (UTK) were charged under Section 149 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

In pronouncing judgment, High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin noted that both Azilah and Sirul had, separately and together, failed to defend themselves “beyond reasonable doubt” against the charge.

“I find the defence had essentially been one where each of them is blaming each other and one of denial,” he said.

“As such the defence has been both irreconcilable and unbelievable, thus they had failed to raise any reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case which I find to be irresistibly conclusive on account of the physical and circumstantial evidence adduced before me,” Mohd Zaki added.

“The prosecution has therefore proved the case against the first and second accused beyond any reasonable doubt. Accordingly, I find the first and second guilty and I hereby convict them both as charged.

“I therefore now sentence you first and second accused to death. Both of you will be kept in lawful custody until you are brought to a lawful place where you will be hanged by your neck until you are dead,” he said.

On Oct 31 last year, the same court acquitted political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 48, of abetting them in the murder which attracted intense international scrutiny due to its tenuous link to then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The former aide to Najib walked free without ever having to enter his defence and has since moved to Britain.

Azilah and Sirul, who stood in the dock, seemed shell-shocked; the latter — a father of two — looked particularly grim.

While Sirul had entered the courtroom only at the last minute before Mohd Zaki himself, Azilah was earlier seen smiling and exchanging good-natured banter with his family, friends and fiancée.

He was even passed a bottle of cologne which he sprayed below his jawline before donning his jacket over a pale blue, long-sleeved shirt fastened with cufflinks.

Azilah's fiancée Nur Azila Baharuddin, who has remained by his side throughout the long trial, immediately broke down in silent tears. As soon as court was dismissed, she moved to sit beside him on a long bench as he reached out to console her.

“We expected him to walk free,” a calm but swollen-eyed Nur Azila told reporters later. She added her fiance’s parents were absent as they lived in Sarawak.

Asked if she thought the verdict was politically-motivated, Nur Azila shook her head.

“No, I don’t think so. It’s just, with a decision like that, we just accept it for now,” she said, and pointed out there were still two platforms of appeal left.

Nur Azila, who had remained optimistic throughout the whole ordeal, still dreams of marrying Azilah. She refused to admit the relationship was doomed.

“I am sad, but I have to be calm for him,” she said, sounding unnaturally upbeat.

Sirul, represented by Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, Hasnal Redzua Marican and Ahmad Zaidi Zainal, will file an appeal tomorrow.

Azilah was represented by Datuk Hazman Ahmad and J. Kuldeep Kumar.

A policeman on duty told The Malaysian Insider the duo would be taken back to the Sungai Buloh Prison. According to records, Azilah has been detained there for 891 days and Sirul, for 895 days.

The case has set many records including being the most number of days for hearing (159 days) and the calling of 84 witnesses at the prosecution stage and two at the defence stage, and it remained a high-profile case for almost two years before Razak was released.

The prosecution team led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah said the verdict was “fair”. He added the prosecution had presented strong physical and circumstantial evidence to convict the two policemen but noted they could still appeal against the decision all the way to the Federal Court.

He also emphasised: “There’s not been the involvement of anyone else ... politically or otherwise.”

Najib says he wants FACTS, not rumours!

We all know too well, that all the facts, figures and witnesses were meticulously removed by Najib special police squad. He is so confidence that there is really nothing that can show his other side - brutal, ruthless and repressive nature.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 — A victim of conspiracy theories, rumours and
innuendoes, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight asked for fairness and
respect in reporting while calling for “a new national conversation
that engages all Malaysians”.

The new prime minister also stated his support for a “vibrant, free
and informed media” which he underlined with his decision to lift the
suspension of opposition newspapers Harakah and Suara Keadilan.

“I believe we can move beyond those who offer the journalism of
conspiracy theory and rumour,” Najib said at the Malaysian Press
Institute’s Malam Wartawan (Journalists’ Night) here tonight.

He had been linked to the gruesome 2006 murder of Mongolian beauty
Altantuya Shaariibuu and allegations of corruption in defence deals by
the opposition. Two elite policemen, who have once escorted Najib,
will know their fate over her murder this Thursday.

“I’ve endured my fair share of these from some quarters of the media.
I will always stand up and be accountable for the decisions I make as
your prime minister,” he said.

The prime minister said that people want a change in the tone of the
political debate, saying the politics of accusation and rumour have
trampled a political dialogue founded on respect and fairness.

“I want a dialogue that is built on respect and fairness, not personal
attacks,” he told the audience comprising senior journalists from the
print and electronic media.

“I call on all parties, all political leaders and all people who want
to engage in a new national conversation about the future of our
nation — including the media — to do so in a way that respects
opinions of others; that values discussion and discourse; and that
recognises that opponents need not be enemies, that differences of
opinion do not come from malicious motives, but from a deep and
abiding concern for the future of Malaysia.”

Najib pointed out it was trying times for the country as well as other
countries but he believed that Malaysia had a remarkable opportunity
to build “One Malaysia” with the new leadership.

“Malaysia needs a comprehensive economic model that positions us for
the long-term. But, we also need a national consensus around how that
and the other important policy debates of our time must be joined.

“A vibrant political and public dialogue is the best way forward for
our country; the times demand it and the people expect it.”

He gave an olive branch to the online media that has been seen to be
critical of him, saying the country needed a media, both old and new,
empowered “to responsibly report what they see, without fear of
consequence, and to hold governments and public officials accountable
for the results they achieve or do not achieve.”

“It is no secret that I believe the new media plays an important role
in our political and civic future. But I want — and I will encourage —
a debate that takes place across all media, across all parts of our
country,” Najib said.

Malaysia’s sixth prime minister said the media should focus on the
most pressing needs of the country, adding, “I hope that such
colourful reporting will be consigned to history. It too often
presents a world that bears no resemblance to reality and only serves
to damage the public discourse we truly need.”

The People Have Spoken - Art Harun on By-election Results

REALITY CHECK FOR BARISAN.....BUT LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE STILL IN DREAMLAND.

APRIL 10 - The results from Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau are but definite proof that more than a year after March 8, 2008, the people are still resolved to show their discontentment and complete unhappiness with the ways of the Barisan Nasional in general and UMNO in particular.

It is also conversely a display of strengthening support for Pakatan Rakyat, regardless of the apparent ideological and political differences in the allegiance of the 3 political parties of which it consists.

That the two by-elections are won by the Pakatan Rakyat with increased majority is of course a cause for concern for the BN and the newly minted Prime Minister, Najib Razak.

Add in the fact that the whole might of the BN's election machinery - including government machinery - was at full steam to ensure a BN victory, the win by Pakatan Rakyat is conclusively a mega achievement in the true spirit of the proverbial David and Goliath fight.

The BN has done everything within its power to win these two by-elections. The whole cabinet could be seen campaigning tirelessly in the two areas.

Hotshots from the Federal Capital converged the two areas and lighted the campaign trail. Amidst the cries of reforms from within Umno and the euphoria of a new found "unity" - when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi held the hand of Mahathir Mohammad and Najib Razak at the closing ceremony of the recently concluded Umno General Assembly - as well as the installation of Najib Razak as the nation's 6th Prime Minister, the campaign started and was conducted with such intensity that any independent observer would be hard pressed to think of a PR victory, let alone with an increased majority.

No stone was left unturned by the BN to woo the voters. Schools were visited by the Minister of Education. Rhetoric was aplenty - where Muhyiddin Yassin's call for the "slaughter" of Nizar for the latter's apparent treasonous behaviour towards the Sultan has to take the cake and
its icing too - as well as name calling and the usual brow beating. (It was quite a disappointment though when the "Class F contract vending machine" which was used during the Kuala Trengganu by-election was nowhere to be seen this time).

Concerts by scantily clad Chinese lady singers were even thrown by the BN at a fishing village attended by, non other than the defender of the Muslim faith, Zahid Hamidi who later
famously proclaimed that the Chinese culture must be respected.

As the new Prime Minister, Najib Razak made a refreshing inaugural speech, releasing 13 ISA detainees and promising a comprehensive review of the ISA; singing the oft repeated unity, one Malaysia and fairness slogans as well as inviting all Malaysians to embark on a great journey with him.

This was expected to make an impact on the voters.

The most startling show was of course reserved for the grand old man of Umno, Mahathir Mohammad. After Najib Razak was installed as the PM, Mahathir Mohammad rejoined UMNO.

He then happily hit the campaign trail, campaigning for the party which he proclaimed as a "corrupt party" just about a week before.

It was thought that Mahathir Mohammad would take the by-elections by storm and galvanise the voters to support the BN.

The Pakatan Rakyat, on the other hand, had to face obstacle after obstacle in their campaign. Their rallies were invaded by the Federal Reserve Unit.

Acid laced water was sprayed at the attendees. In Bukit Selambau, the police moved in without warning and even fired tear gas at the crowd attending a PR rally. When permits were given, unreasonable conditions were imposed.

A certain dead Mongolian woman's name was even prohibited by the police from being mentioned by the PR in any of its rally. A person caught selling that particular woman's mask was arrested.

And leading to the campaign, the Suara Keadilan and Harakah - the PKR's and PAS's respective publication - were suspended from publication for 3 months by the Home Ministry.

The state owned mass media were of course playing their old games of blowing the BN horn while puking at everything which the PR did.

Interviews with the BN supporters who would laud the "development brought about" by the BN government were shown every day and night. The newspapers were full of praise for the BN and its leaders. Not a single teeny weeny good report was made about the PR. That is what they call "balanced and factual" reporting.

Despite it all, PR still won the two by-elections. What went wrong for the BN? If it needs more than 3 minutes for the BN or UMNO to find out what went wrong for them, then may I suggest that the party be dissolved forthwith.

First of all it shows that the people don't believe what the state owned or mainstream mass media are saying anymore. Everything they say is being disbelieved or at the very least taken with a huge cup of sodium chloride.

The younger voters now are a sophisticated and educated lot.

They scourge the internet for alternative news. It is, rightly or wrongly, set in their mind that whatever is being said by the mass media is a lie and conversely everything which is said on the internet is the truth.

Can they be blamed for that? If the BN thinks that elections could be won by massive propaganda, positive or negative, through the mass media, it is completely ignorant of reality.

The people now laugh at all the so called news and "balanced reporting" by the mass media. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that mass propaganda undertaken by the BN spectacularly
backfired!

Secondly, the people just do not believe all the cries and slogans for "reform" and "change".
A case in point is the apparent differences between what the Umno leadership is saying and what its grass root leaders were saying at the Umno Assembly.

While Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak pledged and in fact pleaded for reforms and changes, the speeches from the delegates were talking about filling up the GLCs and
Universities with Umno people!

They were talking about withdrawing scholarships from those students who dare oppose UMNO.

They were talking about how Umno should wantonly use its powers when the powers are still
with it.

Viewed from that perspective, Najib Razak's release of the 13 ISA detainees and the promise of a comprehensive review of the ISA also backfired.

While the true intention was doubted by the people, such move was also seen and perceived as a victory of sorts by the people.

In their mind, that was the effect of the people's pressure on the government. In their mind, if the people would unite to pile on the pressure, perhaps more detainees would be released and the ISA abolished.

And so, in their mind, they were saying, let pile on more pressure by voting for PR.

Thirdly, the BN should be mindful that we are all now living in the 21st century, a new millennium. Character assassinations don't work anymore.

Calling a person a traitor without basis don't work. Spreading nude pictures of a PR MP don't work.

Opening up blogs to call really bad names against the opposition candidate don't work. The people want engagement.

The people are now smart enough to desire an intellectual engagement.

Calling name is so passé!

Fourthly, the people now want answers and they want them fast. And clear.

Parochialism is a thing of the past. Even the Malays are not easily bought by Ketuanan Melayu anymore. The people look at real issues which are affecting or may affect them.

The economy. The sharing of the economic pie. Education. Justice. Fairness. An across the board
enforcement of the law as opposed to selective one.

These are close to the people's heart nowadays.

If there is one thing which the people despise, and despise strongly at that, is hypocrisy. And this is the most important element.


The advent of technology now makes it easy for the people to store data and facts and access the same within seconds.

And it is just not kosher for politicians and leaders to say one thing and do completely the opposite and be found to have done completely the opposite.

In the two by-elections, the people came out, they saw and they conquered.

Najib's Swearing In (video)

His swearing in as Prime Minister completed the much talked about RAHMAN theory.

Rahman

Abdul razak

Hussein onn

Mahathir

Abdullah badawi

Najib

It also means that Najib is the "Last Emperor" of this RAHMAN dynasty.

Malaysia swears in newest prime minister

Finally, we have a man that looked exactly like a fat, lazy pig, to be the leader of a bunch of fat and lazy pigs. Of course, I feel sad for the majority of the malaysian public, to have to live with another emperor of a sunset dynasty. Expect chaos and pains that usually comes with the demise of any dynasty....

Najib Tun Razak said Friday, after being officially sworn in as Malaysian prime minister, that he is intent on renewing the country with help from its people.

Using the slogan One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now, Najib assured the public he was focused on promoting the needs of the Malaysian people through his new governmental post, Bernama said.

I will be steadfast in my commitment to meet the needs, aspirations and concerns of all Malaysians, Najib, 55, said.

After being sworn in, Najib began his ministerial service by releasing 13 Internal Security Act detainees, along with ending a ban on the Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party political groups.

These decisions are timely as we move to enhance the confidence of our citizens in those entrusted with maintaining peace, law and order, while recognizing the need to remain vigilant of the very real security threats we continue to face as a young nation, Najib said of the ban repeal.

Najib becomes Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister

The more they laughed like that, the more seats they are going to lose. Come on guys, be serious, for once!



Kuala Lumpur, Apr 3 : Najib Tun Razak has been sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister, taking over the reigns from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who stepped down after leading the country for over five years.

Najib (55) took his oath of office on Friday. Dressed in a black baju Melayu complete with sampin, Najib arrived at the palace, accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor.

A total of 319 guests, including former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, attended the historic event, the Star reported.

The ceremony, steeped in tradition, began when Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Zahirah entered the throne room and the Malaysian Armed Forces band played the national anthem.

After taking his oaths of office, loyalty and confidentiality, Najib signed the four instruments of appointment, followed by the reading of the doa selamat.

The instruments of appointment were then signed by Court of Appeal President Alauddin Mohd Sheriff as witness and handed over to Chief Secretary to the Government, Mohd Sidek Hassan.

At the same ceremony, Abdullah was conferred the nation's highest award, the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), while Jeanne received the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) by Tuanku Mizan. Both awards carry the title Tun.

Najib was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, on July 23, 1953, and is the eldest son of the late Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia's second Prime Minister, and Rahah Mohd Noah.

His appointment is most significant in the country's history as this is for the first time that a Prime Minister's son is holding the post.

Najib Sworn in As New Malaysian Prime Minister

They are praying for the same thing - more money, more income, more virgins. Amen.


·Badawi Friday afternoon officially handed over power to new PM Najib Tun Razak.
·The transfer of power ceremony was held at the fifth floor of the Prime Minister's office.
·Najib was earlier sworn-in as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday afternoon officially handed over the leadership of the Federal Government to new Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The transfer of power ceremony was held at the fifth floor of the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya, the administrative center of Malaysia.

Malaysian outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife attend the swearing in ceremony of Najib Tun Razak as Malaysia's new prime minister held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in this image from Malaysia TV1, April 3, 2009. Malaysia's new prime minister Najib, wearing a black traditional costume, was sworn in by Malaysia's Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur in a solemn ceremony on Friday.(Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

Najib, 55, was earlier sworn-in as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia before Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur.

At the ceremony, Badawi handed over the blue desk file to signify the transfer of responsibilities of the high office to Najib in the presence of Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Najib succeeded Badawi as the president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the leading ruling party in the country, at the party general assembly last week.

Malaysian new Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak leaves the Istana Negara after the swearing in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 3. 2009. Malaysia's new prime minister Najib, wearing a black traditional costume, was sworn in by Malaysia's Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur in a solemn ceremony on Friday.

Najib was born in Kuala Lipis, central Pahang state, on July 23, 1953.

Najib entered Parliament at the age of 22 in 1976 upon the death of his father, Abdul Razak Hussein, who was Malaysia's second Prime Minister.

His appointment is most significant in Malaysia's history in that this is the first time that a prime minister's son is holding the post.

He became the country's youngest deputy minister in 1978 when he was made Deputy Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Post. He became Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1986.

Other cabinet posts held by Najib were as the Education Minister from 1995 to 1999 and the defense portfolio twice. In 1993, he was elected an UMNO vice-president when he obtained 1,202votes.

He is an economics graduate of the University of Nottingham, Britain.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was sworn in here on Friday as Malaysia's new prime minister.

Najib, wearing a black traditional costume, was sworn in by Malaysia's Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur in a solemn ceremony, local TV footage showed. Full story

Malaysian Supreme Head consents to Najib's appointment

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the appointment of Najib Tun Razak as the sixth prime minister of Malaysia, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan said in a statement on Thursday.

Najib would be presented his letter of appointment as prime minister and would take his oath of office, loyalty and confidentiality before Supreme Head at Istana Negara (National Palace) at 10 a.m. local time Friday, the statement said.