Malaysia Makes History as First Female Deputy Prime Minister Sworn In

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was sworn in as deputy prime minister today, making her the first woman ever in the country to hold the prestigious post.

The Partai Keadilan Rakyat president, who was also named as the women’s affairs minister, led 12 other ministers to be sworn in by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negara here.

Dr Wan Azizah wore an off-white baju kurung with floral print with a light pink tudung while taking the oath, and was accompanied by her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the palace.

She had won the Pandan parliamentary seat in the polls, replacing PKR’s Rafizi Ramli.

Others are Mohamed Sabu (Parti Amanah Negara) as Defence Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) as Home Affairs Minister, and Anthony Loke (DAP) as Transport Minister.

Dr Maszlee Malik (Pribumi) was sworn in as Education Minister, a portfolio that became controversial because Dr Mahathir had first named himself to that post before stepping back after realising it contradicted Pakatan’s election manifesto, which stated that the Prime Minister should not hold any other ministerial post.

Kulasegaran (DAP) was sworn in as Human Resources Minister, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Amanah) as Health Minister, Gobind Singh Deo as Communications and Multimedia Minister and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR) as Housing and Local Government Minister.

Lastly, Salahuddin Ayub (Amanah) was appointed Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister and Rina Harun (Pribumi) was made Rural Development Minister.

Source : New Naratif | Malay Mail | The Nation