Malaysia’s king on Friday appointed the former deputy prime minister to Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned after less than 18 months in office, as the country’s new leader.
Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah said Ismail Sabri Yaakob had secured the backing of 114 lawmakers in the 222-seat parliament, clinching the simple majority required to rule.
Ahmad Shah said the 61-year-old politician will be sworn in as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister on Aug. 21.
“His Majesty expressed the hope that with the appointment of the new prime minister, the political crisis can end immediately and all lawmakers can unite to put aside political agendas,” the royal palace said.
“The government should continue efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic immediately for the benefit and safety of the people and the country’s wellbeing, which are greatly affected by this crisis and the pandemic threat,” it added.
The announcement came after the monarch met state Malay rulers who advised him on the appointment. The king’s role is largely ceremonial in Malaysia, but he appoints the person he believes has majority support in Parliament as prime minister.
Malaysia’s political party, UMNO, which is also referred to as the “Grand Old Party,” dominated politics in the Southeast Asian nation since its independence from Britain in 1957 until the party’s defeat in 2018.
