Malaysia's king appoints Ismail Sabri as prime minister

Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves to members of the media before departing for a meeting with the King, in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the country's prime minister, the palace said in a statement on Friday.

Ismail Sabri, 61, was deputy premier in the government of Muhyiddin Yassin who stepped down as prime minister on Monday.

(Reporting by Kuala Lumpur newsroom; Editing by Martin Petty)