Mr Najib is expected to name a new Cabinet quickly. He could discard some high-profile faces from Mr Abdullah's administration, including those who lost senior posts in recent party elections and others whose image has been bruised by perceptions of graft or mismanagement.
Mr Najib also vowed strong measures to keep the economy afloat and judicious spending of a US$16 billion stimulus package.
Keeping those promises would improve Mr Najib's public image, battered by unsubstantiated accusations that he had a hand in dubious government contracts and the killing of a friend's mistress.
Mr Najib has denied the allegations and rejected fears he might clamp down on dissent. Over the past week, authorities shut down two opposition newspapers and used tear gas to break up a large rally by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. — AP
