PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially commences his official duty as the nation's premier today.
A black BWM ferrying Anwar arrives at the Prime Minister's Office complex, Perdana Putra, at 9.52am. He then clocks in to office.
On hand to welcome him is Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Also present are Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain.
Yesterday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented for Anwar, who is Tambun member of parliament, to be sworn in as the 10th prime minister after the 15th General Election.
The Comptroller of the Royal Household, Datuk Seri Anwar Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the decision was made after the special meeting of the Council of Malay Rulers at 11am yesterday.
Anwar was then sworn in as the country's 10th prime minister at 5pm at Istana Negara yesterday.
A prominent figure in the political arena, Anwar is also known as a Muslim democrat and reformist for his consistent fight against injustice and corruption in the country.
He started his political career as a student activist, founding the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) in 1971 and later led the protests against rural poverty and other socio-economic causes.
He joined Umno in 1982, where his activism caught the eye of then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar then rose rapidly through the ranks and was deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1997.
In September 1998, Anwar was sacked and accused of corruption and sodomy. As a result, thousands took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur and Anwar, who maintained the charges were politically motivated, was arrested.
In total, Anwar spent some 10 years in prison before he was finally pardoned and released in 2018.
By that time, he had once again joint forces with Dr Mahathir under the Pakatan Harapan banner in a bid to oust Barisan Nasional.