Anwar sworn in as 10th prime minister

 

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the country’s 10th prime minister.

He took his oath of office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at Istana Negara at 5pm.

The ceremony was aired live by national television stations and the Prime Minister’s Department’s Facebook page.

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairperson, succeeds Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the country’s chief executive.

The 75-year-old Tambun MP-elect’s appointment comes after almost a week of political deadlock following the 15th general election (GE15).

Harapan has 82 seats in Parliament, short of the 112 needed for a simple majority.

Anwar’s main rival, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, had claimed to have 115 MPs on his side on Tuesday but the palace did not accept this.

To overcome the predicament, a unity government was proposed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Under the arrangement, Anwar will lead a unity government with BN as Harapan’s main partner, while Sarawak’s GPS and Sabah’s GRS, as well as Warisan, are expected to be accepted into the fold.

Anwar has previously held various government positions, including deputy prime minister, agriculture minister, and culture, youth, and sports minister, among others.

The swearing-in ceremony today was also attended by top political leaders such as PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, among others. - Mkini