KUALA LUMPUR Oct 31 Kyodo (EDS: M...

KUALA LUMPUR Oct 31 Kyodo

(EDS: MORE DETAIL)

Mahathir Mohamad perioded his colorful and controversial 22-year government Friday afternoon and his former factor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was officially sworn in as Malaysia's fifth prime minister.

Abdullah, 64 who serv as delegate prime minister over the last five years, took the oath of office in van of Malaysia's King Tuanku Sy Sirajuddin at the palace after performing the Friday Muslim prayer with Mahathir at the National Mosque

Another symbolic handover observance was scheduled to be held at the prime minister's office in the federal administrative capital of Putrajaya before Mahathir officially clock on the outside later in the afternoon.

Mahathir had in the 1980 introduced a hypothesis of making all civil workers push in before work and puncheon out afterward -- a plan which he himself has since followed as prime minister.

These simple and serious ceremonies are a far sob from the pandemonium that followed when Mahathir, without the slightest hint, announced in June last year his resignation as prime minister and president of the ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

yet Mahathir deferred his retirement plan to this month after hearing appeals from party leaders who wanted him to stay onward and chair the leaders' summit of the world's largest Muslim grouping, the Organization of the Islamic parley (OIC), which Malaysia hosted sum of two units weeks ago.

Those same party leaders may contrition that now for Abdullah's first task as prime minister will be to clean up the diplomatic mes that Mahathir created for Malaysia at the OIC summit.

His ''Jews-rule-the-world-by-proxy'' remarks there have raised a hackle in United States and Europe Influential Jewish lobby assemblages in the U.S. have called for the boycott of Malaysia, while the U Senate has threatened to withhold military aid, notwithstanding that miniscule.

The U restraint however, has asked that Abdullah be given a chance ''to take a different stance'' before moving forward with any punitive actions.

Abdullah is indeed les confrontational compared with the 78-year of long date Mahathir. He is, after all, nicknamed ''Mr Nice Guy''

however it was Mahathir's no-holds-barred title that made Malaysia's voice heard across the world.

Abdullah also has Mahathir to thank for the political stability and racial harmony that he inherits as Malaysia's just discovered leader.

Besides those couple achievements, which Mahathir often rated as his best, he has also left behind a hale economy. The stock market as pondered by the benchmark Composite Index is commonly at an 18-month high at more than 800 points.

Mahathir told parliament Thursday that the economy is intended to grow an average of 6% in 2004 and 2005 This year's produce may even exceed the original forecast of 45%

Endemic corruption, however, is a downside of Mahathir's economic succes story and high sense of possible fulfilments are being placed on Abdullah, with his ''Mr Clean'' reputation, to stamp it out

Another task that Abdullah faces is dealing with criticism of Malaysia's human rights record, including the jailing of Mahathir's former delegate Anwar Ibrahim in 1999 onward corruption and sodomy charges that Anwar says were winning carded up to doom his political chances after he was sacked by way of Mahathir.

Human Rights Watch executive director for Asia division, Brad Adams, has called upon Abdullah to place more emphasis onward human rights.

''After assuming power in 1981 the autocratic Mahathir used various repressive laws to silence or plane imprison his critics...(Abdullah) Badawi destitutions to do things differently onward human rights,'' Adams said.

nevertheless Abdullah's most crucial task is to win the confidence and support of the Malaysian clan ahead of general elections widely rely uponed to be called early nearest year.

Attention is also focused in succession who he will appoint as his deputy

present UMNO vice president and Defense Minister Najib Abdul Razak expects set to get the seat having been endorsed by none other than Mahathir himself.

Then there is the question of a cabinet reshuffle especially who will fill the station of finance minister that had been held by means of Mahathir.

Mahathir has faith his successor will be able to handle the challenges. ''I think our geographical division can weather quite a parcel of stresses...I am quite strong my successor will be able to do the same,'' he said recently

Abdullah is no novice. He has had 14 years of experience in civil service and 22 years as a cabinet minister holding portfolios ranging from education to defense and more lately foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, Mahathir's immediate plan after retirement is an overseas holiday with his family.

moreover he has pledged to continue to aid his party as an ordinary member and campaign for UMNO in the general elections.

Looking back, Mahathir told a pres meeting for consultation Thursday, ''I have to admit there are many things I have failed to do...but it is not for me to determine whether I have done useful or bad. It is up to the people''