BERSATU president Muhyiddin Yassin has taken the oath of office as the eighth prime minister this morning.  

The swearing-in ceremony took place before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in the Istana Negara. 

The ceremony was also aired live on television.

The appointment of the 72-year-old Pagoh MP as prime minister was made in line with Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution. 

Also present were members from his party, as well as from Umno and PAS, as well as ex-PKR leader Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Earlier, he arrived at the palace in a black Perdana at 9.50am, accompanied by his wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

A convoy of five vehicles accompanied him. Muhyiddin waved and smiled to media personnel waiting outside the palace gates.

Roads leading to the palace have been blocked to the public since 8.30am and the area is peaceful.

This morning interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said his pact Pakatan Harapan and allies would not be present in the palace to witness the ceremony. 

Dr Mahathir said he had the support of the majority to become the prime minister but revealed that the Agong had refused to meet him. 

He added that his pact would now push for Muhyiddin to prove his support in Dewan Rakyat. – March 1, 2020.