He was the prime ministerial candidate of Malaysia’s longest-governing political party that was ousted after a shocking election defeat in 2018 over a multibillion-dollar financial scandal.

Ismail was the deputy prime minister under the government of Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned last Monday following internal conflict in the alliance he was leading.

He was in the office for less than 18 months.

King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said Ismail obtained the support of 114 lawmakers for a slender majority.

Ismail Sabri, 61, will be sworn in as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister on Saturday.

The king’s role is largely ceremonial in Malaysia, but he appoints the person he believes has majority support in Parliament as prime minister.