KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took the oath of office as Prime Minister of Malaysia for the second time, marking several historic firsts.

At 93, he is the oldest leader of a country to be sworn in.

He is also the first to become Prime Minister twice, bringing an end to the 61-year reign of Barisan Nasional (and the Alliance before it) since Independence.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman, dressed in a black and gold embroidered baju Melayu, was sworn in as the seventh Prime Minister be­­fore Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muham­mad V at Istana Negara here yesterday night.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at 9.57pm.

Dr Mahathir first became Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1981 at the age of 56.

He was the country’s fourth Prime Minister then.

He stepped down from the post in 2003 after being in office for 22 years. Fifteen years later, he has become the oldest elected Prime Minister in the world.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Chief Justice Tun Raus Sharif and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

The more the merrier: Supporters watching the swearing-in ceremony via mobile phone in front of Gate 2 outside Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was seated beside him at the ceremony.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reached out to congratulate Dr Mahathir via Twitter after the ceremony.

“I just congratulated Mahathir on his appointment as the 7th prime minister.

“I am willing to assist with a smooth transition,” Najib tweeted.

The Umno president was ousted from office after Barisan Nasional lost in the 14th general election to the Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan on Wednesday.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu were the other key Paka­tan Harapan leaders who were also present at the ceremony yesterday.

The King shook hands with Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah after he entered the Singgahsana Kecil (Minor Throne Room) and before taking his seat.

Dr Mahathir took his oath of office and the oath of allegiance before signing the documents.