Mahathir names new deputy in major reshuffle
Mahathir names new deputy in major reshuffle
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday named a new deputy in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at consolidating his position four months after sacking former number-two Anwar Ibrahim.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 59, a staunch Mahathir loyalist, was named deputy prime minister and home minister.
Mahathir, 73, relinquished the home ministry, which oversees police, amid mounting criticism of the beating under police custody of Anwar, who was fired and arrested in September after a falling-out with the premier.
Mahathir's top economic adviser Daim Zainuddin, 60, was named finance minister -- a post also held by Anwar before he was sacked.
Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar, another Mahathir loyalist, was named foreign minister. A minister in the prime minister's office, Abang Abu Bakar Mustapha, took over the defense portfolio.
Mahathir announced the reshuffle after chairing a meeting of the supreme council of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
In another key move, Mahathir announced that triennial party elections due in June are to be postponed "to allow us to focus on preparations for the general elections which must be held not later than March 2000."
"I am touched by this appointment," said Abdullah, 59, a prominent figure in international diplomacy.
Abdullah said he was grateful to Mahathir for giving him a "heavy job and responsibility," and pledged to "carry out my duties with full dedication.
"I also hope for guidance from the prime minister, who is very experienced in administrative matters," he added.
A stalwart opposition MP, Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Party, guardedly welcomed Abdullah's appointment.
"I hope he will be able to bring about changes in his new ministries so that Malaysia will have a home ministry with a human face," said Lim, who has called for an independent inquiry into Anwar's beating.
Abdullah is currently one of three vice presidents of UMNO. He became foreign minister in 1991.
Observers noted that like Anwar, Abdullah is from the key state of Penang, putting him in a position to neutralize remaining Anwar supporters in the state.
The cabinet revamp capped a dizzying series of events in Malaysia, starting with the implication of the police in the beating of Anwar after an official inquiry which failed to name the culprits.
Inspector General of Police Rahim Noor resigned on Friday to take responsibility for the Anwar beating, but there were mounting calls for Mahathir to give up the home ministry.
Anwar, 51, was sacked Sept. 2 amid policy differences with Mahathir, and arrested 18 days later under internal security laws after leading massive protests against his former mentor.
He was later charged with 10 counts of corruption and sexual misconduct, which he dismisses as the result of a high-level conspiracy.
Asked about opposition calls for him to step down after 18 years in power, Mahathir told journalists, "the mounting pressure comes from the foreign press. We normally don't respond to the foreign press."
Earlier Friday, Anwar sued Mahathir for damages over his beating.
In his suit against Mahathir, Anwar said that after his arrest following a massive anti-Mahathir rally which he led on Sept. 20, he was blindfolded and handcuffed at police headquarters.
He said he lost consciousness after he was punched and slapped until blood ran from his nose and mouth, and was denied medical treatment for five days.
Nine days after his arrest, Anwar appeared in court with a black eye, alerting the world to his beating and sparking international protests.
Opposition MP Karpal Singh, a member of Anwar's defense panel, repeated calls for Mahathir to step down, saying police chief Rahim should not be made a "fall guy."
"The prime minister should be mature enough to accept the ultimate responsibility," he said. "It's wise of him to step down before things get worse."