Malaysia's Deputy Premier to get top job

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was formally declared the president of the ruling United Malays National Organisation party.

Mr Najib contested the post unopposed, and his election during the party congress was a formality. He replaces Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

UMNO election chairman Samsudin Osman announced at the congress that “Najib has won the post of president unopposed”.

Mr Najib stood up, smiled and raised his hand in acknowledgement as supporters cheered the announcement.

Mr Najib will also take over the prime minister’s post next week, and Mr Abdullah will become an ordinary politician in Parliament as part of a power transition aimed at bolstering the party’s plunging popularity.