Najib sworn in as PM

Swearing of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister Najib sworn in as Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was sworn in as the country’s sixth Prime Minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara yesterday morning.

Najib takes over from Tun Ab dullah Ahmad Badawi, who stepped down after leading Malaysia since Oct 31, 2003.

Dressed in black baju Melayu with sampin, Najib, 55, and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who wore a modern baju kurung in deep rose shade, arrived at the palace at 9.42am. The official car bringing Abdullah and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah was close behind.

Najib and Rosmah entered the throne room at 10am, followed by Abdullah and Jeanne.

Dignitaries included Cabinet mem bers, mentris besar, deputy ministers, the Dewan Negara president and Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Others present included Najib’s mother Tun Rahah Noah, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

The ceremony began at 10.05am with Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah walking up to the dais and standing in front of the throne.

The national anthem was then played.

Najib was then invited to receive his letter of appointment from the King. He approached the throne to receive the letter and took his oaths of office, loyalty and secrecy at 10.12am.

He proceeded to sign the four instruments of appointment. The instruments were then signed by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff as witness and handed to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

The King then conferred Abdullah the country’s highest award, the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), and Jeanne the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM), both of which carry the title “Tun”.

The guests then adjourned for tea.

Abdullah and his wife left the palace at 11.35am, waving to reporters who had gathered at the main gate but were not allowed in as the event was only covered by the official press.

Najib and his wife left the palace at 11.39am, also waving to reporters.

After the Istana, Najib went to his mother’s home in Jalan Eaton where he paid his respects to his mother and kissed her hand.

He then proceeded to the National Mosque where he performed Friday prayers with Abdullah and other Cabinet ministers.

After the prayers, Najib paid a visit to the grave of his father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein at the National Mausoleum.

Najib, together with Rosmah, Rahah, Najib’s four siblings – Ahmad Johari, Mohamad Nizam, Mohamad Nazim and Mohamad Nazir – and other family members spent about an hour at the grave.

Abdullah was also present.

Rahah sprinkled scented water on Razak’s grave followed by Najib, Rosmah and the rest of the family members.

Najib and Rosmah later proceeded to Putrajaya for the handing- over of duties ceremony.

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