Its president Mukhriz Mahathir said he hoped Anwar’s appointment, together with the formation of the new government with Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and others, would stabilise the country after more than two years of instability.

“Pejuang prays the 15th Malaysian government led by Anwar will steer the country through these challenging times towards recovery, and onto the right path, God-willing,” he said in a statement.

Mukhriz added that the people would be expecting the new government to focus on tackling the economic downturn that is expected to worsen next year, the rising cost of living, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic that still poses a threat to the country.

Earlier today, Istana Negara said the King had consented to Anwar’s appointment to the top post following discussions with the Malay rulers this morning.

Anwar took his oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, at Istana Negara at 5pm today.

The King had initially asked Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional to form a unity government, but PN’s chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said he turned this down as the coalition could not work with PH.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah initially backed Muhyiddin as prime minister but the two Borneo coalitions eventually said they would follow the King’s wish for a unity government.

Meanwhile, late last night, Umno’s Supreme Council said the party would support a unity government that was not led by PN.