by BERNAMA/ pic by BERNAMA

BENUT assemblyman Datuk Hasni Mohammad was sworn in as the 18th  Menteri Besar of Johor before Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Istana Bukit Serene here today.

The official Facebook of the Sultan reported the swearing-in ceremony with pictures of Hasni receiving his letter of appointment and taking his oath of office.

Also present was Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail.

The appointment of Hasni followed the announcement by the Johor Palace yesterday of the formation of the Gabungan Baharu  government in the state,  comprising UMNO, PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu),  after the new coalition had the numbers in the 56-seat State Assembly.

The previous Pakatan Harapan government made up of PKR, DAP, Bersatu and Amanah lost its majority after Bersatu pulled out of the coalition.

Hasni, 61, is also Johor  Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and state UMNO chief.