Malawi's president-elect Bingu wa Mutharika has promised he will introduce revolutionary reforms to revitalize the economy and "instill confidence among Malawians."

Mutharika, speaking during his inauguration ceremony amid escalating violence and deaths in Blantyre, told an almost empty Chichiri Stadium in Blantyre he was grateful to be accorded the chance to rule Malawi.

The 60,000-capacity football stadium was almost a quarter full as people feared more violence.

"I am acutely aware that of the challenges ahead ... I am awareMalawians have great expectations from me and this is the challenge I am willing to take," he said.

Mutharika, 70, said he will implement a number of reforms to take Malawi from poverty to prosperity. He said he has a four-point plan that he will use to reform the economy.

"First I will implement public sector reforms to instill confidence among donors," he said.

The economist, who has worked both at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, also said he would introduce "deep-rooted private sector reforms" and new agriculture reforms.

"My point of departure is that Malawi is not a poor country butit is the people of Malawi who are poor," he said.

On tobacco, Malawi's main cash crop, Mutharika said it was sad Malawi "just produce lots of smoke which we cannot eat."

In a veiled reference to out-going president Bakili Muluzi's bloated cabinet of 46, said he would appoint a cabinet in "line with our lean economy" in order to save public funds.

"I shall be asking Malawians to make a small sacrifice by having a lean cabinet that can deliver," he said. "People will be appointed to cabinet on merit."

He also promised "zero tolerance" to corruption and ensure "speedy investigation, prosecution and punishment" of all corrupt officials or those senior officials at all levels who have abused public funds.

Out-going president Bakili Muluzi, speaking before Mutharika, thanked Malawians for giving him a chance to lead them for the last ten years.

"I have had 10 happy years as president," he said. "I am particularly pleased especially that these recent elections have been peaceful."

Muluzi, in his usual public bashing of political opponents, hitout at opposition coalition leader Gwanda Chakuamba for declaring himself president Saturday night hours before official results were published.

"He just wanted to cause political tension," he said. "How can you declare yourself winner when you are third in the official polls?"

Chakuamba, who led a seven-party opposition coalition, however,insisted he was robbed of a legitimate win. "As far as I am concerned I am the president of Malawi," he said.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and veteran Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe graced the lukewarm swearing in ceremony which was shunned by people fearing violence in the streets.

The current African Union chairman, President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, also attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, at least five protesters were feared dead after clashing with paramilitary police, who used live bullets against protesters.

Source: Agencies