PM leaves Istana Negara after swearing-in ceremony

Ismail Sabri leaving Istana Negara after he was sworn in as Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister on Aug 21, 2021. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob left Istana Negara through Gate 1 at 3.26pm after completing his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday (Aug 21).

From his heavily-tinted black SUV, he wound down his window to wave at journalists who were outside Gate 1 since noon.

The Umno vice president and Bera MP was also accompanied by police outriders and a convoy of five vehicles.

It was understood that Ismail Sabri managed to evade reporters by entering Istana Negara through Gate 2.

Despite the sunny weather, about 40 members of the media consisting of journalists, videographers and photographers waited under umbrellas.

Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional party leaders were also present for the swearing-in ceremony and were spotted entering via Gate 2, located at the other side of Istana Negara.

Ismail Sabri was the former deputy prime minister of the Perikatan government and will be replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin, who resigned as prime minister on Aug 16.

The King named Ismail Sabri for the post on Friday (Aug 20) after 114 MPs from various parties from the previous Perikatan government named his as their choice for prime minister.