Top state leaders welcome Anwar's appointment

KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister to helm the unity government reflects the country's political maturity, said several key state leaders.

The Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers welcomed the appointment after it was consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the wisdom of Al-Sultan Abdullah shone in the proposal for the formation of a unity government, with almost all the political blocs deciding to join in.

"I believe this is a symbol of wisdom and political maturity that bodes well for the country's stability after each tested their support and popularity in the 15th general election (GE15) recently.

"Alhamdulillah, after a very long struggle and experiencing ups and downs, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has finally become the 10th Prime Minister and I would like to congratulate him on behalf of the Selangor state government," he said.

Anwar was sworn in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister at the Istana Negara at 5.06 pm today.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali advised the people to accept the decision with an open heart because it had been agreed upon at today's special meeting of the Malay Rulers at Istana Negara and which took into account various factors for the benefit of the people and country.

Sulaiman said the formation of the unity government at the central level would not affect the position of the existing Barisan Nasional (BN)-led state government after it won 21 out of 28 state assembly seats in the Melaka state elections in November last year.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, meanwhile, is confident that Anwar has a plan to strengthen the Federal government administration and mobilise all Malaysians to support him.

Chow, who also congratulated Anwar, said Penang is ready to cooperate as a team in this new chapter.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who is also the state's PH chairman, congratulated Anwar on his appointment.

Sabah Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor issued a statement congratulating Anwar, in addition to saying that he has full confidence that a close working relationship between the state and Federal governments would be forged to realise various aspects of development and efforts to fulfil Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).

He also hoped that the PH manifesto, which included empowering Sabah and Sarawak, could be properly implemented.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Open, who also congratulated Anwar, concurred.

-- BERNAMA