‘ The Boss’ AGAIN
Mahathir sworn in as 7th prime minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad created history yesterday when he became the prime minister for the second time, at the age of 92.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman was sworn in as the seventh prime minister before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, at Istana Negara last night.
Among those present were Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan I smail, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and his wife Betty Chew, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and PKR vicepresident Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Chief Justice Tun Raus Sharif and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa were among dignitaries who witnessed t he 1 0- minute ceremony.
Mahathir, who became the country’s fourth prime minister in 1981 at the age of 56, stepped down in 2003 after being in office for 22 years.
Fifteen years later, he has become the oldest elected prime minister in the world.
Earlier, t he process t o acknowledge Mahathir as the new prime minister was hindered due to a delay by the Election Commission (EC) in announcing the results of the 14th general election.
At about 3am yesterday, Mahathir and other PH leaders announced that the coalition had won enough seats to form the new government and that he would go to the palace later in the morning to be sworn in.
Defeated Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak t old a press conference at around 11am that the King will decide who the prime minister will be as no single party had achieved a simple majority.
In response, Mahathir said he thisforfor this only needed the support of the majority of the MPs to form the government and all PH leaders had signed a letter to the King, giving their consensus for Mahathir to be installed as premier.
Hundreds o f p e o p l e , including the media, gathered outside the palace as early as 3pm to await Mahathir’s arrival after he announced he would seek an audience with Sultan Muhammad V at 5pm to be sworn- i n. But i t was l ater announced that the ceremony would only be held at 9.30pm.
Earl i e r a t 2 . 4 5 pm, EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah had presented the official results of the polls to palace officials.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz said the palace also received a letter from PH component members at 1.38pm supporting the appointment of Mahathir as prime minister.
He said Sultan Muhammad V, after verifying the documents, also met with Wan Azizah,
Muhyiddin, Lim and Mohamad Sabu at 5pm.
The palace refuted allegations the King had delayed Mahathir’s installation as prime minister.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan said Sultan Muhammad V had faithfully carried out his duties and functions in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
“His Majesty the King strongly supports and respects the democratic process and the wishes of his subjects,” he said.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the King looked forward to working with Mahathir and his administration for the betterment of the nation and all its people.
Mahathir told the press yesterday that PH had the support of 135 MPs, including from Parti Warisan Sabah, to be eligible to form the new government.