Malaysia’s new prime minister Najib Razak freed on Friday 13 men held under security laws and pledged to review those statutes, seeking to allay fears of an iron rule and crackdown against political dissent.

The country’s sixth premier, sworn in earlier Friday, also lifted a recent ban on two opposition newspapers.

“These decisions are timely as we move to enhance the confidence of our citizens in those entrusted with maintaining peace, law and order, while recognising the need to remain vigilant of the very real security threats we continue to face as a young nation,” Najib said in his first address.

The government is reviewing laws that allow for indefinite detention without trial and would provide details later, he said.

Najib, who took over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has been battling perceptions he would crack down on detractors who question his ability to lead.

A son of Malaysia’s second prime minister, Najib assumes the top job at a time when the mostly Muslim country of 27 million people is expected to slip into its first recession in a decade as exports slump.

Najib has been groomed for over three decades for the premiership but his reputation has taken a hit recently due to allegations linking him to the murder of a Mongolian model. He has vehemently denied the claims.

Recent moves by the government to stifle dissent, including sedition charges against an opposition MP and a popular blogger, had fanned crackdown fears.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told Reuters two of the men freed were from a group fighting for equal rights for ethnic Indians while the rest were from a terrorism-linked group.

Racial and religious tensions are also on the rise in this multi-racial country, as ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities chafe under what they say is growing erosion of their rights.

The premier appealed to minority ethnic groups in his address, broadcast live on state television.

“We must reach out to all parts of Malaysia … to all our diverse communities,” he said. “In our national discourse and in pursuing our national agenda, we must never leave anyone behind.”

Najib earlier took the oath of office before the king in a traditional ceremony at the yellow-domed national palace in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian prime ministers are officially appointed by the king, a constitutional monarch.

Najib’s National Front coalition is struggling to stem a growing tide of public disappointment that could see it losing power to the opposition in the next general election due by 2013.

Voters handed the ruling coalition its worst election result in 2008 polls, angered by the slow pace of reforms to stamp out corruption and improve the economy’s competitiveness.

In remarks on his website (http://1malaysia.com.my/) dated Thursday but posted after his inauguration, the new premier asked Malaysians to work together based on his “1Malaysia” vision for a united country.

“Together, we will ensure that Malaysia emerges a stronger, more unified, and prosperous nation,” Najib wrote.

“The tremendous support the 1Malaysia community has exhibited toward the message of unity and tolerance has been very instructive to me and will play an enormous role in developing the relationship between government and our citizens.”