KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is officially the ninth prime minister of Malaysia after taking his oath of office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.
The 61-year-old Umno vice-president was attired in a black baju Melayu, gold-embroidered black samping and a songkok, and was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin, as he took his oath.
His swearing-in ceremony was held in the presence of 30 VIPs, including his predecessor, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at the Dewan Singgahsana Kecil (Minor Throne Hall).
Other political leaders at the ceremony include Barisan Nasional adviser Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also graced the swearing-in ceremony.
After being sworn in, Ismail Sabri signed the instruments of appointment, before Federal Territory mufti Datuk Dr Luqman Abdullah led a recital of a doa.
The brief ceremony lasted for 10 minutes before His and Her Majesties left the hall, accompanied by Ismail Sabri for a photo-taking session.
Earlier, throngs of reporters and photographers, who had waited patiently for him at the main gate of the palace, were taken by surprise when his motorcade drove in through another entrance, at the smaller Gate 2 at 2.20pm.
This likely occurred as Ismail Sabri had yet to be anointed prime minister and, therefore, went in through the side entrance meant for lesser diginitaries and officials.
The convoy later left Istana Negara through Gate 1 at 3.25pm, with the newly minted prime minister waving to the crowd as he departed.
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The ceremony caps a week of uncertainty on the fate of Putrajaya’s top seat.
The Bera MP’s appointment comes after a special meeting between the Agong and Malay rulers yesterday afternoon.
His Majesty, in a statement yesterday evening, confirmed Ismail Sabri’s prime ministership after he was satisfied that the Umno leader had the majority support of the Dewan Rakyat to form the new government, in line with Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the federal constitution.
He takes over from Muhyiddin, the Bersatu president who holds the record for the shortest-serving prime minister at 17 months.
Muhyiddin, who only came to power in March last year following the toppling of the Pakatan Harapan government, lost the backing of the Lower House after Umno withdrew its support last month amid intense infighting within the government.
He was forced to resign as prime minister on Monday, but continued to hold the position in a caretaker role until today.
The Agong, leading the search for a new prime minister, had then ordered all MPs to submit statutory declarations on their choice of prime minister, with Ismail Sabri coming out tops with the support of 114 MPs, enough to form a majority government.
Ismail Sabri had only been appointed as deputy prime minister on July 7.
Born on January 18, 1960, Ismail Sabri is Malaysia’s first prime minister to be born after Malaya’s independence on August 31, 1957.
All eyes will now be on the formation of his new cabinet, which he is set to announce in due time. Of particular interest will be the position of deputy prime minister, with several Bersatu leaders said to be fighting over the post. – The Vibes, August 21, 2021
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