Malaysia's core cabinet led by Mahathir sworn in

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Core members of the cabinet led by newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad were sworn in on Monday, as the 92-year-old leader vowed to restore the former glory of the country.

TV live-broadcast showed that 13 ministers, all from the four component parties in the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, were sworn in at the National Palace.

Mahathir has said his government is aiming for a smaller cabinet with 25 ministers in total.

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, president of the People's Justice Party, became the country's first female deputy prime minister. She will also serve as minister of women and family development.

Mahathir backtracked on his earlier plan to take over the education minister, and appointed Maszlee Malik from his Malaysian United Indigenous Party to the post.

Lim Guan Eng, former chief minister of the northern Penang state, was appointed finance minister. Muhyiddin Yassin, president of Malaysian United Indigenous Party and a former deputy prime minister, was sworn in as home minister while Mohamad Sabu was sworn in as defense minister.

Mohamed Azmin bin Ali, also chief minister of the wealthy Selangor state, became minister of economic affairs. It is reported that he will only relinquish his post in the state after a proper replacement is found.

Anthony Loke Siew Fook from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was sworn in as the minister of transport, while Gobind Singh Deo, another DAP veteran, was sworn in as minister of communications and multimedia.

When addressing civil servants for the first time at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday morning, Mahathir said he wanted to restore the country's past glory. Enditem