By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has won the presidentship of the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), which sets him on track to becoming the country’s next premier.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, who is the outgoing UMNO chief, will make way for him in March next year for the twin posts.
Razak’s victory, virtually unopposed, was expected, media reports said Monday.
The 1953-born Razak is the eldest son of Abdul Razak, the second prime minister of Malaysia, and nephew of Hussein Onn, the third prime minister of Malaysia. He has been the deputy prime minister since 2004.
Razak had to win the party presidency to succeed Badawi as prime minister. By convention in the Barisan Nasional government, the UMNO president is prime minister.