Leaders called for new PM swearing-in on April 3

(The Malaysian Insider) – The King might not have accepted Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s resignation letter yet but state leaders have already received the invitation to the new prime minister's swearing-in.

It is learnt that Menteris Besar, chief ministers and other top dignitaries have been invited for the ceremony on Friday.

An aide to Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng confirmed he had received an invitation for the swearing-in at Istana Negara.

Abdullah announced last Saturday that he would submit his resignation letter on April 2 after his Umno party confirmed Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak as party president.

The prime minister said he will step down in favour of his deputy in a power transfer following the ruling Barisan Nasional’s disastrous results in Election 2008.

Najib said earlier that he will wait for a statement by the Prime Minister’s Department before committing on anything.

“This has to wait for the official statement, I can’t make the official statement,” he told reporters after visiting the Sin Chew Daily, here today.

Najib will be the country’s sixth prime minister since independence in 1957.

His selection also confirms the prophecy that the first initials of Malaysia’s first six premiers will form first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s name.