electoral upheaval KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 , SPA -- Malaysia's prime ministertook the oath of office for a new five-year term Monday,rejecting calls to resign after unprecedented electoralsetbacks wiped out the ruling coalition's two-thirdsmajority and shook the political landscape, AP reported. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in at a simple, nationallybroadcast ceremony in front of the constitutional monarch,King Mizan Zainal Abidin, and dozens of dignitaries in thenational palace's glittering throne room. «I pledge to carry out my duties honestly and with all myabilities,» Abdullah said, reading out the oath. «Ipledge to protect and uphold the Constitution.» Abdullah's National Front ruling coalition secured a freshmandate in general elections Saturday, but lost itstwo-thirds parliamentary majority and relinquished controlof five of Malaysia's 13 states to the opposition. Theopposition alliance now has 82 seats in the 222 memberParliament, a massive jump from its 19 seats in theoutgoing house. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/534953