Abdullah sworn in as Malaysian PM - BBC News

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has been sworn in as the country's leader after winning a landslide general election victory.

The ruling National Front coalition also won 12 out of 13 states, recapturing the state of Terengganu from the Islamic Party (Pas).

Pas managed to hold onto its other state, Kelantan, by a slim majority.

The overall result is a major victory for Mr Abdullah, who assumed power in October when Mahathir Mohamad retired.

The 64-year-old career politician and former Islamic student had campaigned hard in the northern states - a heartland for ethnic Malay Muslims - and has called for "modern and progressive" Islamic rule.

"This big win means a lot to us all. It represents the acceptance, the support of the people for the coalition," Mr Abdullah said after declaring victory.

[More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3556761.stm]