Former defence minister and deputy premier, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has been named as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister on Friday.

Yaakob, who took over the mantle of leadership after the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin, will be sworn in on Saturday.

According to a statement by Malaysia’s Royal Palace, his nomination was confirmed by King Abdullah, who, with parliament sought nominations for the premiership from the country’s 220 lawmakers and held meetings with party leaders about who could form a government.

The monarch said he hoped the appointment would put an end to political instability, with Yaakob the third premier in three years.

His ascent marks a return to power for the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant faction in the coalition that ran Malaysia from independence until a shock election loss three years ago.

Yaakob an UMNO vice president is backed by 114 lawmakers, including predecessor Muhyiddin’s small faction.

NAN