ANWAR IBRAHIM SWORN IN AS MALAYSIA’S PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Prime Minister on Thursday, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy and opposition leader. His appointment ends five days of unprecedented postelection crisis, but could usher in a new instability with his rival, former PM Muhyiddin Yassin, challenging him to prove his majority in parliament.

Both men failed to win a majority in a Saturday election, but the constitutional monarch, King Al- Sultan Abdullah, appointed Anwar after speaking to several lawmakers. Broadcast live on national television, Anwar took his oath of office in a simple ceremony at the national palace. “I, Anwar Ibrahim, after being appointed to hold the position of prime minister, solemnly swear that I will honestly fulfil that duty with all my efforts and that I will devote my true loyalty to Malaysia,” the 75-year-old said while dressed in traditional Malaysian clothing.