Malaysia's Najib declared ruling party leader

Malaysia's deputy prime minister Najib Razak was today officially declared president of the ruling party, a role that will make him the country's next leader.

Malaysia's deputy prime minister Najib Razak was Thursday officially declared president of the ruling party, a role that will make him the country's next leader.

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In a uncontested transition that has been planned for several months, Najib was appointed president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition of race-based parties.

"For the post of UMNO president, Najib Razak won uncontested," UMNO permanent chairman Onn Ismail said at the party's annual meeting, where delegates are voting for a range of top positions.

No date has been set for the formal transition of power from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but Najib is expected to be sworn in by the king on April 3.