Malaysian leader to push for reforms in ruling party elections

Oct 15, 2009, 3:56 GMT

   Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was expected to push for reforms Thursday within his ruling party in a move to stamp out corruption and regain public support for the ailing government.

   Najib, who was appointed prime minister in April, officially opened the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) annual assembly, giving his first address as party president.

   UMNO is the backbone of the ruling National Front coalition, which has ruled since 1957.

   The son of Malaysia's third prime minister, Najib is leading a coalition government suffering from an all-time low in public confidence.

   The front suffered humiliating losses during last year's March general elections when the three-party opposition alliance won control of five of the country's 13 states and denied the government a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

   The loss of support stems mainly from perceptions of corruption, inefficiency and ethnic discrimination.

   In his efforts to win back support, Najib is to push delegates to vote for several changes to the party's constitution that would radically change the way it elects its leaders as it seeks to eradicate vote-buying.

   Party delegates were expected to approve the reforms later Thursday and on Friday.