Badawi named NEAC deputy chairman

Badawi named NEAC deputy chairman

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's new deputy prime minister was named deputy chairman of the country's National Economic Action Council, the group said on Wednesday.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is also now a member of NEAC's executive committee, the council said in a statement.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad named Abdullah his deputy last week, filling a spot that was vacated when Anwar Ibrahim was fired Sept. 2. Anwar, who is now on trial for sex and corruption charges, was also finance minister and deputy chairman of the NEAC.

The NEAC was established in late 1997 to tackle the nation's growing economic turmoil. Mahathir is chairman of the council.