Ismail Sabri Sworn In As Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Ismail Sabri Yaakob took his oath of office as Malaysia’s 9th Prime Minister before the Malaysian King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in a ceremony on Saturday. The ceremony, which involved the conferment of the instrument of appointment and taking the Oath of Office and Allegiance, as well as the Oath of Secrecy as the Prime Minister, was held at the Balai Singgahsana Kecil (Minor Throne Room), Istana Negara (National Palace) here, at about 2.20 pm. On Friday, Al-Sultan Abdullah had consented to Ismail’s appointment as Prime Minister in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution. Ismail Sabri from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component of Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, succeeded Muhyiddin Yassin who quit on Aug 16 after failing to command majority support in Dewan Rakyat (Parliament lower house). The Muhyiddin led PN government was in a limbo after 15 Members of Parliament from UMNO withdrew their support for the prime minister and PN. -- BERNAMA