Anwar sworn in as PM

Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.

The Tambun MP took his oath of office, loyalty and secrecy before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur at 5.06pm today.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also in attendance.

Sultan Abdullah consented to Anwar’s appointment in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.

The swearing-in ceremony was held after His Majesty deliberated the views of his fellow Malay rulers, who convened a special meeting at Istana Negara earlier today to make the best decision for the interests and well-being of the country and the people, five days after the official results of the 15th general election (GE15) were announced.

Anwar, 75, wearing a black baju Melayu and gold-embroidered samping, was accompanied by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Bandar Tun Razak MP.

After taking his oath, Anwar signed the instruments of appointment which were then attested by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

The ceremony was witnessed by Attorney-General Idrus Harun, Chief of Defence Force Affendi Buang, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun.

Among the political party leaders present were PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Upko president Wifred Madius Tangau, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman cum Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

For the first time in the country’s history, the national polls last Saturday ended in a hung Parliament after no party obtained a simple majority of 112 seats in the 222-seat Parliament to form a new government.

PH won the highest number of seats at 82, followed by PN (73), BN (30), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six) and Warisan (three).

Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat won one seat each, while two others were won by independents.

Taking heed of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for all parties and coalitions to consider forming a unity government to end the political turmoil, they finally agreed to support the government led by Anwar.