Across Asia: Malaysia

Emergency party meeting

Malaysia's prime minister called an emergency session of the ruling party's top policy-making body yesterday, seeking to stamp his authority after the dramatic defection of ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir's departure, which cast further doubt on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's own future, has raised Malaysia's political risks and spooked investors as the government grapples with high inflation, slowing economy and rising subsidies.