KUALA LAMPUR – November 24 (ONLINE) Malaysia’s King Al Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on Wednesday appointed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as country’s next prime minister, media reports said.
Anwar was sworn in by the king at 0900 GMT. His wife, Was Azizah Wan Ismail accompanied him.
In a statement after taking his oath, Anwar vowed to carry out his position “with full humility and responsibility.
“I will take on this heavy task based on the will and conscience of the people and the country.”
Anwar’s appointment is the third time the king has chosen a prime minister in just over two years – though it’s the first time this has happened following a general election.
In the announcement, the king also urged all members of parliament “to reach out to each other” and “show solidarity…for the sake of the future of our beloved country.”
He called on all Malaysians “to keep calm and pray for the country”, adding that the rulers from all the country’s nine states support his position “for the formation of a stable government as soon as possible.”
Earlier on Thursday, the king held a meeting with the rulers from all states to consult them about his decision to name a new prime minister.
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