Swearing-in ceremony will be held at 2.30pm tomorrow at Istana Negara.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was today named the country’s ninth prime minister.
This was announced by the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.
In announcing this, he said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had determined that the Bera MP was “most likely to command a majority” after meeting all political party leaders on Aug 17.
During the meeting, all 220 MPs were asked to name a candidate among them as the prime ministerial candidate through Statutory Declarations (SD).
From the SDs, 114 MPs nominated Ismail Sabri and his Majesty had assented to an audience with the 114 MPs yesterday to verify their support.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) MPs, including caretaker PM and Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were among those who sought an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to verify their candidate for prime minister
“Following this. his Majesty has appointed Ismail Sabri as the new prime minister in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.”
Ismail Sabri’s swearing-in ceremony will be held at 2.30pm tomorrow at Istana Negara.
Earlier, the Malay Rulers convened for a special meeting presided over by the King to discuss the country’s current political affairs, in particular the appointment of Malaysia’s ninth prime minister.
Ismail Sabri, who was tipped to be the next prime minister, was reported to have received support from Umno, Bersatu, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and four independent MPs.
He needed the support of at least 111 out of 220 MPs to garner a slim majority. Two parliamentary seats are vacant following the death of the incumbents.
The Opposition had earlier named PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as its prime ministerial candidate.