KUALA KANGSAR:About 80 media practitioners at the media centre in Dewan Jubli here were thrilled to have a surprise visit from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Menteri Besar of Perak and State Executive Council members today.

Sultan Nazrin arrived at the hall, which is located about three kilometres from Istana Iskandariah, at 3.45 pm and spent 15 minutes mingling with the members of the press.

The Ruler also responded to the media's requests to take pictures with him.

"I saw you (the press) in front of Istana Kinta. Thank you for doing your job, in the sun, in the rain. It's not easy, I know," he said.

Earlier during the swearing-in ceremony, Sultan Nazrin had expressed appreciation to the members of the media who, rain or shine, had flocked to Istana Kinta in Ipoh to responsibly provide news and information to the people.

Perak UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad was sworn-in as the new Perak Menteri Besar before Sultan Nazrin at Istana Iskandariah earlier today.

-- BERNAMA