PETALING JAYA: The swearing-in of Malaysia’s new prime minister will take place today (May 10) at the Istana Negara, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Although he did not name who the prime minister would be, Pakatan Harapan had announced last year that Dr Mahathir is its prime minister-elect in the event the coalition wins the 14th General Election.
The coalition had also previously announced that Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would be the deputy prime minister.
“Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate will be sworn in tomorrow and the person will later appoint the deputy prime minister and other ministers,” he told a packed press conference at the Sheraton Hotel here tonight.
Dr Mahathir also said the new ruling coalition will work on securing a royal pardon for former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim so that he can become the 8th prime minister.
“Once he is eligible, he will have to contest a general election before he can become the prime minister.”
Dr Mahathir said, as announced previously, Malaysia will have public holidays on May 10 and 11. He said the announcement would be made by the Chief Secretary to the Government (Tan Sri Ali Hamsa).
Asked by the media if he “will seek to charge former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak”, Dr Mahathir said the new government is not seeking revenge.
“We are not seeking revenge. What we want is to restore the rule of law.
“If anybody breaks the law, that includes the journalists, they will be brought before the court to be tried.
“So far I have no heard anything from him (Najib) as he has been silent,” Dr Mahathir added.