Malaysia's Mohamad, 92, sworn in after shock comeback victory

MAHATHIR Mohamad has been sworn in as prime minister of Malaysia again after a shock election victory, 15 years after he stood down.

6upporters waved flags and cheered outside the Istana Negara palace in Kuala Lumpur as took the oath inside.

The man who governed for more than two decades has become, at the age of , the world's oldest elected leader.

He came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on and beat former protege Najib Razak.

His historic win ousted the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has been in power since independence in 1957.

Mr Najib said earlier he would "accept the verdict of the people" but correspondents say a smooth transition to power is not a given after such a major political upheaval.

No single party within the coalition won a majority, so technically it fell to Malaysia's king to decide who formed a government. Mr Mahathir said earlier his coalition would not seek revenge but would “restore the rule of law”. He also announced a two-day public holiday, adding: “But there will be no holidays for the winners.”

7he official results showed the opposition Pakatan Harapan - the Alliance of Hope - secured

of the seats being contested, including some which have only ever been held by the government. BN took 79 seats. -