Mahathir rallies Malaysia govt party ahead of vote
By Razak Ahmad
SUNGAI PETANI, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysia's influential former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Monday urged voters to rally behind newly-appointed Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of three simultaneous by-elections.
The outcome of Tuesday's polls, which take place just four days after Najib was sworn in as Malaysia's sixth prime minister, will not change the national balance of power but a win for his National Front coalition will give Najib an early boost.
Najib has pledged to revive the ailing coalition and steer the economy through its first recession in a decade since the Asian financial crisis.
Mahathir's endorsement is a big boost to Najib's credibility.
The outspoken former premier had been a fierce critic of Najib's predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but on Saturday Mahathir rejoined the main ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which he had quit last year in protest over Abdullah's leadership.
Mahathir's attacks helped force Abdullah into early retirement.
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