JOHOR BARU: Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has congratulated Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over his appointment as the ninth Prime Minister.

       "Congratulations to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri on appointment as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia," he posted on Facebook on Friday (Aug 20).

       In an earlier post, Tunku Ismail said that it is important to prioritise people's lives and the nation's stability.

       "Stability and the people's lives are the priority, and not self interest," he said.

       This comes after the announcement that Ismail Sabri will be the ninth Prime Minister.

       Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has decreed the appointment of Ismail Sabri as the ninth Prime Minister, following the special meeting with the Malay Rulers on Friday (Aug 20) afternoon.

       "In line with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, His Majesty has decreed to appoint Ismail Sabri as the ninth Prime Minister," said Fadil in a statement.

       Fadil also said the swearing-in ceremony for Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister will take place on Saturday (Aug 21) at 2.30pm at Istana Negara.

       It was also reported earlier that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar did not attend the special meeting of Rulers in Istana Negara on Friday (Aug 20).