UMNO PARTY PICKS NAJIB'S ALLIES

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's ruling party on Thursday selected candidates loyal to incoming prime minister Najib Razak for top leadership posts, in a coup for the new premier, who has big reform plans.
Najib was appointed unopposed as president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) earlier on Thursday, replacing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and is expected to be sworn in to power by the king next week.
UMNO members holding their annual meeting this week had picked Abdullah allies for other influential positions including chiefs of the women's and youth wings.
But the winning candidates for party deputy president and its three vice-presidents are all seen as close to Najib, giving him a boost as he attempts to radically overhaul the party after disastrous elections.
According to results announced at the meeting, Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin seized the post of UMNO deputy president, which traditionally carries with it the position of deputy prime minister.
Under Malaysia's turn-taking political tradition, he is now next in line for the nation's top job as head of the UMNO-led coalition after Najib, who served as deputy premier for the past six years.
The three vice-presidents - Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Hishammuddin Hussein and Mohamad Shafie Apdal - are all cabinet ministers and Najib loyalists.

Courtesy: Channel News Asia