NAJIB RAZAK SWORN IN AS MALAYSIA'S SIXTH PM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000253 SIPDIS FOR EAP/MTS AND INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2014 TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR KDEM MY SUBJECT: NAJIB RAZAK SWORN IN AS MALAYSIA'S SIXTH PM REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 231 - RULING PARTY CONFIRMS NAJIB ¶B. KUALA LUMPUR 229 - CLOSING MALAYSIA'S DEMOCRATIC SPACE? Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and d). Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (U) Najib Razak was sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister on April 3, the week after he took over leadership of the ruling party from outgoing PM Abdullah Badawi. During his short first address, Najib focused on unifying themes of reaching out to all Malaysians and moving the country forward. He also announced the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, including two ethnic Indian political prisoners, and rescinded the three-month ban on two opposition newspapers. Critics described the two moves as politically motivated to influence the three April 7 by-elections. Najib is expected to announce his new cabinet on April 8 or 9. ¶2. (C) Comment: Najib's first speech as PM and initial actions hit unifying messages well received by much of the public, although many Malaysians appear cautious. How Najib reshuffles the Cabinet will provide an early indication of the new Prime Minister's policy approach. In the immediate term, his release of ISA detainees and rescinding of the printing ban are not likely to greatly influence voters in the three imminent by-elections. The by-election results, however, will be widely seen as a gauge of public confidence in Najib as he begins his administration. End Comment and Summary. Najib Tun Razak: Malaysia's Sixth Prime Minister -------------- --- ¶3. (U) Najib Razak, son of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, officially took his oath of office before the King on April 3, becoming Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister. Najib's swearing-in took place the week after Najib took over leadership of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party from outgoing PM Abdullah. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were former PM Mahathir (who had hinted earlier that he would like to be invited to the ceremony),former DPM Musa Hitam, and outgoing cabinet members. Najib focused his first speech on reaching out "to all parts of Malaysia, to all diverse communities," including those "who may have been disaffected and left confused by political games, deceit and showmanship." He listed as his administration's priorities eradicating poverty; restructuring society; access to quality education for all; strengthening the economy (in the face of global recession); and "inspiring a new generation of young Malaysians to work on behalf of this great country." ¶4. (U) During his first speech as PM, Najib took the opportunity to announce the release of 13 ISA detainees, including two ethnic Indians (considered political prisoners in the U.S. human rights report),and announced a "comprehensive review" of the ISA. He also lifted the three-month ban on two opposition newspapers (ref B). Opposition politicians and NGOs described the ISA releases as a political gimmick ahead of the three by-elections in Kedah, Perak and Sarawak slated for April 7 (ref A) and called for Najib to release all detainees and abolish the ISA itself "to show his sincerity in strengthening democracy." The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA),UMNO's ethnic Chinese partner in the ruling coalition, called for the ISA to be amended to apply only to suspected terrorists. ¶5. (SBU) Najib met with leaders from the ruling National Front component parties on April 6 to discuss his new cabinet, which is expected either on April 8 or 9. Informed observers told poloffs that Najib's Cabinet is expected to be leaner than the current Cabinet's 32 members and 27 ministries. These Embassy contacts believed that Najib would merge several ministries and would drop several incumbent veteran Ministers who lost out in the UMNO party elections (such as Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and Home Minister Syed Hamid, who both fit this description). Details of ISA Releases -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Two political prisoners, V. Ganabatirau, and R. Kenghadharan, belonging to the banned organization Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF),were among the 13 ISA KUALA LUMP 00000253 002 OF 002 detainees conditionally released as of April 5. Three HINDRAF leaders remain under ISA detention. Seven members of Darul Islam (Binsali Omar, A. Artas A. Burhanudin, Idris Lanama, Francis Indanan, Mohd Nazri Dollah, Pakana Selama, and Mohd Arasad Patangari all detained in 2006) and Wan Amin Want Hamat from the Jemmah Islamiyah regional terrorist group (detained under ISA since 2003) were among those released. The remaining three individuals were foreigners involved in forging travel documents and will likely be deported. PR Last Minute "Attempt" to Stop Swearing-in -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Two days prior to Najib becoming prime Minister, the opposition Peoples Alliance' (PR) 81 opposition Members of Parliament submitted a petition to the King appealing for a postponement of Najib's appointment as PM until he had been cleared of various allegations related to corruption and the murder of a Mongolian national. As late as April 2, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Peoples Justice Party (PKR) circulated a report that Najib would not be sworn in as planned on April 3. Both actions appeared to be political gimmicks rather than reflecting serious efforts to stop Najib's swearing-in. Upon Najib's swearing-in, Anwar challenged the new Prime Minister to prove himself a reformist by releasing all ISA detainees, getting rid of government controls over the media, and taking serious measures to fight corruption. KEITH