Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Sunday congratulated new Australian premier Kevin Rudd on his victory and said he looked forward to working together, state media reported.

"I believe the cordial Malaysia-Australia bilateral ties will improve further under Rudd's administration," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Rudd achieved a landslide victory over conservative incumbent John Howard in the general election. Howard was ousted after 11-and-a-half years in office.

Abdullah said Rudd's stand on Iraq -- to withdraw Australian troops from the war-torn nation -- and his willingness to sign the Kyoto Protocol would move Australia closer to Malaysia.