MALAYSIA: MAHATIR ANNOUNCES NEW DEPUTY PRIME - MINISTER

(8 Jan 1999) English/Nat

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced the appointment of a new deputy prime minister.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will relinquish his current post as foreign minister to become Mahathir's deputy and Home Minister.

His appointment and that of a new finance minister were part of an effort to calm Malaysia's political arena.

It's been in turmoil since Mahathir fired Anwar Ibrahim, his one-time heir, amid a flurry of allegations of sexual misconduct and corruption.

Anwar's firing and subsequent arrest set off protests marking the biggest challenge to Mahathir in his 17 years in power.

The Malaysian Prime Minister announced the changes after an emergency session of the Supreme Council of the ruling United Malays National Organisation.

59-year-old Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who will be the new deputy prime minister, has always been a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Mahathir and that loyalty has paid off.

He takes up the post after serving as foreign minister for seven years.

The 73-year-old Mahathir has been under pressure to regain political momentum lost since the sacking of his former deputy and protege, Anwar Ibrahim.

At the news conference where he announced the major cabinet reshuffle, Mahathir lashed out at the foreign media, accusing them of trying to topple his beleaguered government.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Question: "What's your reaction to the suggestion that there is mounting pressure for you to resign. What are you going to do Dr. Mahathir?"
Answer: "Well, I don't know, the mounting pressure comes from the foreign press. We don't normally respond to the foreign press."
Question: "But there are calls for you to resign."
Answer: "That is what the foreign press thinks. They can go and ask their own leaders to resign. Their own prime minister."
Question: "What do you think about these questions?"
Answer: " I don't have to respond to such silly questions."
SUPER CAPTION: Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister

Mahathir's new deputy has also been given the post of Home Minister, a portfolio Mahathir himself has held until now.

Abdullah will be in charge of the police force, which has come under mounting criticism since Anwar appeared in court with injuries sustained during police custody.

The new deputy prime minister has been strongly critical in the past of his predecessor.

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