Anwar Ibrahim emerges Malaysia’s 10th prime minister

Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim will be sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, the Istana Negara announced on Thursday (Nov 24).

According to a report, earlier in the day, Perikatan Nasional (PN) said it would consider a unity government, after Barisan Nasional said early Thursday morning that it would take part in such a government but not one led by PN.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Rafizi Ramli has urged Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters not to avoid any celebratory gatherings after Istana Negara confirmed that PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim will be sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.

He also urged politicians to be careful with their media statements and content on social media that could be perceived as a provocation.

“We all have to move forward and learn to work to rebuild Malaysia for the sake of the future and prosperity of every Malaysian,” he said in a statement.

The 75-year-old was deputy prime minister in the 1990s before he was sacked by then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998.

He spent two stints in jail for sodomy and corruption in what he said were politically motivated charges aimed at ending his career.

Anwar received a royal pardon after the Pakatan Harapan coalition won in the 2018 general election.

The Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the appointment of Pakatan Harapan’s Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister was made in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

The appointment was finalised after the king deliberated the opinions of the Malay rulers. The palace statement added that the Malay rulers expressed support for the stand adopted by the king to form a stable government as soon as possible.

The king also called on the public to stay calm and to pray for Malaysia.

Anwar’s appointment as the next prime minister caps a three-decade journey from heir apparent to a prisoner convicted of sodomy, to long-time opposition leader.

The 75-year-old has time and again been unsuccessful at securing the top job despite getting within striking distance over the years: He was deputy prime minister in the 1990s and the official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018.

In between, he spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption in what he said were politically motivated charges aimed at ending his career.

In the statement, the king called on all elected officials to work together for the future of the country.

He also reminded these officials to show solidarity, give priority and commit strongly to serving Malaysia.

Source: News Agencies