Ismail Sabri received the support of 114 parliamentarians, giving him a slim majority, according to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

 

After the king named its nominee, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as the country's next leader, Malaysia's longest-governing political party returned the premiership it lost in a shock 2018 election setback.

On Saturday, Ismail Sabri, 61, will be sworn in as Malaysia's ninth prime minister.

 

Ismail served as deputy prime minister in Muhyiddin Yassin's government, which resigned on Monday after less than 18 months in office due to infighting within his coalition.

Muhyiddin's partnership is effectively restored with Ismail's appointment.

It also restores the authority of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had ruled Malaysia since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 but was ousted in 2018 elections following a multibillion-dollar financial scandal.

 

Ismail received the support of 114 parliamentarians, giving him a slim majority, according to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

The monarch made the announcement after meeting with state Malay rulers, who recommended him on the appointment.
In Malaysia, the king's role is mostly ceremonial, but he picks the prime minister who he believes has the majority of support in Parliament.

Oh dear. How frightful