Mahathir Mohamad, 92, sworn in as Malaysia's seventh prime minister

SUMMARY

Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in asMalaysia's seventh prime minister on Thursday after a stunning election comeback, defeating the coalition that has ruled the nation for six decades since independence from Britain. Malaysia's constitutional monarch, Sultan Muhammad V, administered the oath of office. Mahathir, 92, dubbed the "Father of ModernMalaysia" during his previous 22 years in power until 2003, was dressed in a traditional black "baju melayu" tunic and sarong, with an Islamic cap on his head. His return from retirement makes him the oldest elected leader in the world. Hundreds ofMalaysians lined the road leading to the palace, waving party flags and cheering. The Election Commission announced the result long before dawn and there was some consternation in the capital Kuala Lumpur over the time taken to swear in the new prime minister. Mahathir has repeated a promise to repeal a deeply unpopular goods and services tax (GST) introduced by Najib and review foreign investments, including major infrastructure projects that are part of China's Belt and Road initiative.

By ReutersMay 11, 2018 5:42:41 PM IST (Updated)

New Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad gestures beside Wan Azizah, the wife of a jailed opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin

Mahathir Mohamad is sworn in as Malaysia's seventh prime minister by Sultan Muhammad V at the palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia May 10, 2018. Bernama/Rosli Awang via REUTERS

New Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad gestures during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin

Mahathir Mohamad holds up a document with the signatures of alliance party leaders naming him as the prime minister during a news conference following the general election in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin

Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference with Wan Azizah, wife of jailed opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, following the general election in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin

Malaysia's outgoing Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at a news conference following the general election in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Malaysia's outgoing Prime Minister Najib Razak leaves after a news conference following the general election in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha