Kuala Lumpur  - Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad rejoined the ruling party Saturday, one year after he quit following a falling out with his successor.

Mahathir's decision to rejoin the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) came a day after Najib Razak was sworn in as new prime minister.

Najib took over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who had been Mahathir's chosen successor after he retired in October 2003.

Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 10 : The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has urged the federal government to release the other three Hindu Rights Action Front (HINDRAF) members, who were detained under Internal Security Act in 2007.

MIC president S. Samy Vellu was quoted by The Star as saying: "We thank the Government and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for releasing two ISA detainees associated with the banned HINDRAF movement."

Sepang, Malaysia  - Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello will lose five places on the starting grid for Sunday's Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix over a gearbox change.

The ruling body FIA announced the sanction after the gearbox was changed on Barrichello's car after Friday practice. Under F1 rules a gearbox must last four races before it can be replaced without sanctions.

Barrichello finished second behind team-mate Jenson Button at the season-opener on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. The punishment means he will be no better than sixth on the grid in Sepang, depending on his qualifying result on Saturday.

Sepang, Malaysia - McLaren sports director Dave Ryan was suspended on Friday in the wake of incidents that led to Lewis Hamilton's disqualification from the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Hamilton was deemed to have given race stewards "deliberately misleading" evidence in connection with an overtaking move concerning him and Toyota's Jarno Trulli during a safety car phase in Sunday's Melbourne race.

Ryan, 54, had been with the world champion Hamilton at the hearings by the ruling body FIA in Melbourne.

Kuala Lumpur, Apr 3 : Najib Tun Razak has been sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister, taking over the reigns from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who stepped down after leading the country for over five years.

Najib (55) took his oath of office on Friday. Dressed in a black baju Melayu complete with sampin, Najib arrived at the palace, accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor.

A total of 319 guests, including former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, attended the historic event, the Star reported.

Sepang, Malaysia  - Nico Rosberg lead Williams to dominate the first training for the Malaysia Grand Prix on Friday ahead of his teammate Kazuki Nakajima.

The 23-year-old German topped the timesheets at the 5.54-kilometre racetrack with 1:36.260 minutes, repeating his training dominance from last week's sessions ahead of the Melbourne race.

Melbourne winner Brawn GP's Jenson Button came in third at 1:36.305, his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barichello fourth, followed by Felipe Massa of Brazil and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, both in Ferrari.