Following the coalition's defeat in the 2018 general election, Barisan Nasional (BN) has formed its first cabinet.

[4] On 1 March 2020, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) withdrew from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance, sparking a political crisis that resulted in Muhyiddin Yassin, the party's president, becoming the country's eighth prime minister.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended his government for successfully managing the outbreak's initial wave.

Deputy Minister-designate of Education II Mohamad Alamin skipped the ceremony as he was tested COVID-19 positive.

[18] Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as well as Minister-designate of Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperative Noh Omar were also unable to attend the ceremony as they had been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient.