Kuala Lumpur, Nov 03: Malaysia's new Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will take over the post of finance minister, according to the report. But the report made no mention of who Abdullah would name a deputy prime minister, or when.

The 64-year old Abdullah was sworn in on Friday after veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad retired from 22 years in charge.

Besides assuming the finance portfolio, previously held by Mahathir, Abdullah would also remain as minister of home affairs, the report said.

Less than three days into his premiership, Abdullah has already asked supporters to prepare for general elections. But attention is centred on who he will pick as his deputy, a factor that both market and political analysts said could influence investor sentiment over the next few months.

Defence minister Najib Abdul Razak and Muhyidin Yasin, the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, are seen as frontrunners for the country's second most powerful job. Bureau Report