The 15th king of Malaysia, King Muhammad V, kissing a ceremonial "keris" (dagger) during his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The Sultan of Kelantan replaces Sultan of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. </s> Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad V, seen here reading the Oath of Installation, was officially installed as the 15th Malaysian king yesterday under the country's unique royal rotation involving the nine Malay ruling houses. The installation ceremony, steeped in royal Malay customs, marked the formal commencement of his tenure as the supreme head of state of the Malaysian federation. Sultan Muhammad V, 47, had taken his oath of office on Dec 13. Under the rotational monarchy system, one of the rulers from Malaysia's nine royal houses takes turn every five years to become the Malaysian king. </s> KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan Muhammad V stepped down as Malaysia's king on Sunday (Jan 6) after just two years on the throne - marking a first in the country's history. 



The king had officially notified the Malay Rulers on his abdication through a letter sent to the Secretary of the Conference of Rulers, said the comptroller of the royal household in a statement.

“In discharging the wishes of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, Istana Negara hereby announces that His Majesty is abdicating as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong effective Jan 6, 2019, pursuant to Article 32 (3) of the Federal Constitution,” said Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan said Sultan Muhammad V expressed his gratitude to the Malay Rulers, who elected him as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13, 2016.

He also expressed his appreciation to Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the government for their cooperation in governing the country.

"During his tenure as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty worked to fulfil his responsibilities and the trust placed in him as the head of state, serving as the pillar of stability, the source of justice and as an umbrella of the solidarity and unity of the people,” said Wan Ahmad Dahlan. 



The comptroller said that Sultan Muhammad V, as the supreme commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, was proud of the sacrifices and devotion shown to him and the country over the years.

“His Majesty hopes that all Malaysians will continue to stay united, tolerant and in agreement in shouldering the responsibility to safeguard the country’s sovereignty so that Malaysia will remain in peace and harmony,” he said.



The former king was ready to return to working on the development of Kelantan together with the state government and the people, Wan Ahmad Dahlan added.

In Malaysia's constitutional monarchy system, the election for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is held on a rotational basis every five years.

The Conference of Rulers must meet to elect a new king no later than four weeks once the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong falls vacant.

According to the rotation in place, the Sultan of Pahang would be next in line.

Rumours of the abdication were circulating online earlier in the week, although Mahathir said he did not receive official word on the matter.

"I didn't receive letters or any official indication about anything, so I am not going to talk about it," said Mahathir at a press conference on Friday.

Mahathir also said that "as far as (he) knew", the king had resumed duties after going on leave for two months up until Dec 31.

According to online reports in November, the 49-year-old monarch recently married 25-year-old former beauty queen Oksana Voevodina, who held the title of Miss Moscow in 2015.

The reports featured pictures of the supposed wedding, which were said to have taken place on Nov 22 in a concert hall in the upscale Moscow suburb of Barvikha.

Mahathir said then that he did not have official confirmation on the wedding. </s> KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Pahang, Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, was installed as the 16th king of Malaysia on Tuesday (Jul 30) in a ceremony steeped in Malay royal customs and traditions, formally marking his five-year reign as the head of state.

Sultan Abdullah, who turned 60 on the same day, was clad in the official ceremonial dress named the Muskat – a long black robe adorned with golden embroidery.

His consort Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, meanwhile, was dressed in an ivory white attire and matching scarf.

Around 700 guests, comprising the Malay rulers, Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony that was broadcast live on state television.

Among the notable foreign guests included Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Sultan Abdullah was proclaimed the sixth Sultan of Pahang on Jan 15, succeeding his father. He was subsequently elected as the 16th king at a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Jan 24 and was sworn in on Jan 31.



His coronation came after the abdication of Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V in January. </s> The Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin, has been sworn in as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sultan Abdullah, 59, was sworn in at the national palace Istana Negara in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Jan 31).

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad read out the instrument of proclamation, which officially signifies the new King’s ascension to the throne, Bernama reported.

Sultan Abdullah succeeds Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V, who abdicated on Jan 6 after having reigned for about two years.

The Sultan of Perak, 62-year-old Sultan Nazrin Shah, also took his oath as the elected deputy king.

Read also: Here’s what we know about Malaysia’s new king </s> He sent the country reeling on Sunday (Jan 6) with an unprecedented resignation.

Now Malaysia’s 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, is King no more, having abdicated the throne to the next ruler.

Read also: Malaysia’s King Muhammad V shocks by becoming first monarch to resign before completing tenure

Under Malaysia’s rotational monarchy system, a king is typically elected for five years from each of the nine Malay royal houses.

Sultan Muhammad V, whose original name was Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra ibni Tengku Ismail Petra, was made Crown Prince of Kelantan at the tender age of 10, the Straits Times (ST) reported.

He then studied diplomatic and Islamic studies at the University of Oxford, according to AsiaOne.

A separate ST report cited The Star as saying that Sultan Muhammad V was believed to have married 24-year-old Kangsadal Pipitpakdee, a Thai descendant of Muslim royalty, in 2004, when he was 35 years old.

In 2009, his father suffered a stroke and by the following year was deemed incapacitated by illness, resulting in the crowning of the then-prince as Sultan of Kelantan in May 2010 at age 40.

Four months later, while his father was warded in Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Sultan Muhammad V dismissed his younger brother, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, from Kelantan’s Succession Council, ST said. The council decides on whether a new Sultan should be installed.

He then went on to serve as Malaysia’s deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 2011 to 2016, according to the New Straits Times. Like the title of King, this role is held for five years.

On Apr 24, 2017, Sultan Muhammad V ascended the throne as Malaysia’s King at the age of 49. According to a report by ST, he divorced his Thai wife in 2008, and was crowned without a queen consort.

During his two-year reign, he witnessed the swearing in of current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and received Mahathir at the Istana Negara before he took his oath of office, Bernama reported.

However, he first gave an audience to Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – instead of incoming PM Mahathir – to offer her the position of PM.

ST’s report added that it was “only after several press conferences reiterating PH’s wish that Dr Mahathir return as premier” that the former King swore him in.

Sultan Muhammad V also granted PKR President Anwar Ibrahim a full pardon from previous sodomy charges, resulting in his release from prison.

Malaysia’s Attorney-General, Tommy Thomas, was also sworn in two weeks late as Sultan Muhammad V only “acceded to the choice” of a non Malay-Muslim candidate after a meeting with Anwar, ST reported.

According to Bernama, Sultan Muhammad V took two months of leave in 2018 – from Nov 2 to Dec 31 – to “undergo treatment”. During this time, it was widely speculated that he had married former Russian model Oksana Voevodina in a ceremony in Moscow, and both had visited a fertility clinic in Germany.

The South China Morning Post said Sultan Muhammad V’s abdication was rumoured to be linked to his wedding to Voevodina, while ST added that there were rumors that “other rulers were not agreeable to (Voevodina’s) coronation as Queen”.

According to Bernama, one of the final public events Sultan Muhammad V attended as King was Friday prayers at the Sultan Ismail Petra Mosque in Kelantan on Jan 4.

Two days later, he created history by becoming the first king to step down before his full term.

In a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 7), he said simply: “thank you”.

According to Bernama, three other Kings in Malaysia’s history did not complete their five-year term, but this was due to their deaths.
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• Dr Wan Azizah was offered the Prime Minister role by the King but declined, Anwar Ibrahim reveals in his first rally </s> Sultan Muhammad V, 47, had previously taken his oath of office on December 13 last year. He ascended to the the throne succeeding Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah, whose term ended on December 12. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — “Daulat Tuanku (Long Live the King)!”. Sultan Muhammad V was installed as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara here today, for the next five years.

The installation ceremony, steeped in Royal Malay customs, marked the formal commencement of his tenure as the Supreme Head of the Federation which also reflects the stature of Constitutional Monarchy practised in the country.

Sultan Muhammad V, 47, had previously taken his oath of office on Dec 13 last year. He ascended to the the throne succeeding Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah, whose term ended on Dec 12.

Malaysia is one of 43 countries in the world that practice constitutional monarchy, with the rotation system in selecting a King, being the only one of its kind in the world.

Some 800 guests witnessed the colourful and glorious ceremony, including the Malay rulers and their consorts; the representatives of the Malay rulers; the Yang Di-Pertuas Negeri; the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis.

Also present were cabinet ministers, heads of government departments and foreign diplomats.

The sound of trumpets and the beating of drums by the Gendang Besar D’Raja Kelantan band reverberated in the Balairong Seri (Throne Hall) of the national palace to the tune of “Raja Bertabal” as soon as Sultan Muhammad V took his Oath of Installation.

This was followed by three shouts of “Daulat Tuanku” led by the Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela (Grand Chamberlain) Major Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mamat Ariffin Abdullah.

This was then followed by the firing of a 21-gun salute and the playing of the national anthem “Negaraku” by the Royal Malaysian Air Force band.

The installation ceremony was telecast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).

Earlier, the ceremony started with Sultan Muhammad V making an entrance to the Balairong Seri, to the accompaniment of the blowing of the trumpets and the beating of drums by the band, playing the tune Raja Berangkat.

It was preceded by the entrance of Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz who led the royal arrival procession, which also comprised the Bearers of the Royal Regalia and Maces — the “Cogan Alam” (Mace of the Universe) and the “Cogan Agama” (Mace of Religion).

Both maces, which are made of silver, are part of the royal regalia and are also the Malaysian Government’s national insignia.

Sultan Muhammad V was attired in the official dress of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, called the Muskat, which is made of black wool and embroidered with gold threads, as well as the “Dendam Tak Sudah” headgear or “tengkolok”, and embroidered long pants.

His Majesty also donned the Royal Buckle or the “Pending Diraja” which is made of gold and decorated with rubies, with an engraved centrepiece featuring the Federation Crest, while the belt is made of heavy ribbed silk and embroidered with floral motifs in gold thread.

Pinned at the waist of His Majesty was the “Keris Pendek Diraja” which was forged from the blades of antique keris. The hilt and sheath are made of ivory embedded with gold.

Sultan Muhammad V was then ushered to his throne, marking the start of the installation proceedings.

The Grand Chamberlain then sought consent from His Majesty to begin the ceremony and made the announcement.

Subsequently, the Grand Chamberlain also sought His Majesty’s consent to bring in a copy of the Al-Quran and the remaining royal regalia for the ceremony.

This was followed by the entrance of the second group of bearers and Al-Quran entrustment, with Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja bearing a copy of the Al-Quran, while other Istana Negara officials brought in the “Keris Panjang Diraja”, the Proclamation of Enthronement and Installation, and the Oath of Installation.

They were accompanied by the blowing of trumpets, playing the tune Seri Istana.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong left the Balairong Seri to the accompaniment of the blowing of trumpets and beating of the drums, playing the tune ‘Raja Berangkat’. — Bernama picThe Al-Quran, the symbol of the sanctity of Islam as the official religion, was then presented to His Majesty by the Grand Chamberlain. His Majesty then kissed it and placed it on a “rehal” or Quran stand on a table placed on his right side.

The Grand Chamberlain then presented the Proclamation of Enthronement and Installation to the prime minister who later proclaimed the enthronement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

This was followed by the presentation of the “Keris Panjang Diraja” or the Keris of the Government by the Grand Chamberlain to His Majesty, who drew the sabre, kissed it, and returned it to its scabbard before placing it on a table to the left.

His Majesty then took his Oath of Installation, pledging among other things to perform his duties in accordance with the laws and constitution, and to protect Islam at all times.

This was followed by the blowing of the trumpets, the beating of the drums, and the three shouts of “Daulat Tuanku” led by the Grand Chamberlain and others in the Balairong Seri. Moments later, a 21-gun salute was fired, followed by the playing of the national anthem Negaraku.

The prime minister, representing the government and the people, congratulated His Majesty and pledged loyalty to the newly installed Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

His Majesty then delivered his Royal Address before the recital of prayers by Istana Negara religious officer Datuk Abd Aziz Che Yacob.

The Grand Chamberlain then took down the Al-Quran from the throne before announcing that the ceremonial proceedings had successfully been concluded.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong left the Balairong Seri to the accompaniment of the blowing of trumpets and beating of the drums, playing the tune Raja Berangkat.

Sultan Muhammad V was elected the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the 243rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Oct 14 last year. — Bernama </s> Malaysian King Sultan Muhammad V stepped down from the throne on Sunday, royal palace officials announced but without stating a reason for the first abdication by one of the country’s monarchs in its 61-year history.

The resignation of the 49-year-old monarch, Malaysia’s 15th king who is the sultan or ruler of Kelantan state, took immediate effect, the palace said in a statement. It gave no details about who would succeed Sultan Muhammad V, who had only ascended to the throne in December 2016 under Malaysia’s rotating system of monarchs.

“The palace would like to inform that Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku has resigned as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Supreme Ruler of the federation effective January 6 in accordance with Article 32(3) of the Federal Constitution,” said Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, the comptroller of the Royal Household, referring to the king by his full title in Malay.

The abdication took place following days of reports in regional media speculating that the king might be stepping down after marrying a Russian woman abroad in late November.

The king sent a letter to the secretary of the Conference of Rulers notifying them about his decision to resign from the throne, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said. The conference is Malaysia’s council of nine traditional rulers and four governors. They represent the 13 states in the Malaysian federation, elect a king to a five-year term, and take turns on the throne.

“During his tenure as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty had worked to fulfill his responsibilities and the trust placed in him as the head of state, serving as the pillar of stability, the source of justice and as an umbrella of the solidarity and unity of the people,” the royal comptroller said, adding that Sultan Muhammad V was preparing to return to his home state to “safeguard its people” and work for their betterment.

“His Majesty also hopes that all Malaysians will continue to stay united, tolerant and in agreement in shouldering the responsibility to safeguard the country’s sovereignty so that Malaysia will remain in peace and harmony,” Wan Ahmad Dahlan said.

Sultan Muhammad V was officially installed as king of Malaysia, a multi-ethnic though predominantly Malay Muslim nation of nearly 32 million people, in a ceremony on April 24, 2017, four months after ascending to the throne.

In early November 2018, the king went on a two-month leave of absence for “medical treatment,” during which the Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Shah, took over the throne as acting king, the palace said at the time.

During Sultan Muhammad V’s absence foreign media outlets reported that he married a Russian beauty queen who had converted to Islam, Oksana Voevodina, in a wedding near Moscow on Nov. 22. The king was single before taking the throne.

On Nov. 29, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he did not know about the reported marriage and had not received any official confirmation about it, reports said. Mahathir later confirmed to the media that the ruler had returned and resumed his duties as the country’s king. On Dec. 31, Sultan Nazrin Shah formally ended his duties as acting king.

There was no comment from the prime minister late on Sunday night (local time). A spokesman for Mahathir did not respond immediately to an inquiry from BenarNews.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told reporters on Sunday evening that the cabinet was “just being informed” about the abdication through the official statement from the royal palace.

“However, I feel sad as he was the king when we came into power. He was the king who swore-in the new prime minister during the historical change of government,” said Wan Azizah, the country’s first woman to hold the post of deputy PM, adding that she respected the sultan’s decision.

She was alluding to last year’s general election in which the opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance swept the Barisan Nasional coalition out of power for the first time in the country’s history.

“The Yang Dipertuan Agong was also the one who pardoned my husband [Anwar Ibrahim],” the deputy prime minister added, while speaking to media on the sidelines of an event at the International Islamic University Malaysia campus in Gombak, Selangor state.

Under the Malaysian constitution, the king is the supreme head of the federation and supreme commander of the armed forces. He also acts as the head of Islam in his home state, and in the states of Malacca, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

Under Article 153 of the constitution, the king must also safeguard the special position of ethnic Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the legitimate interests of other communities, according to information posted on websites belonging to the government and Conference of Rulers.

In addition, the monarch presides over the opening of parliamentary sessions and has the power to swear in members of the cabinet and grant royal pardons.

After a ruler has served as king, he cannot stand for re-election until all rulers of the other states have also stood for election under the rotational system.

The king may resign his office by writing to the Conference of Rulers, and may also be removed from office by his fellow rulers.

Sultan Muhammad V was on the throne when he granted a pardon that allowed Anwar Ibrahim, a senior opposition leader who was imprisoned by the previous government on a sodomy charge to be freed from custody and re-enter politics. Anwar, the husband of Wan Azizah, is next in line to become prime minister. </s> KUALA LUMPUR In a historic first for the country, Malaysia's king abdicated yesterday, ending weeks of speculation about his future after he took medical leave.

Sultan Muhammad V's decision marks the first time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since it gained independence from Britain in 1957.

A statement from the national palace confirmed the resignation of the 49-year-old monarch, known for his fondness for four-wheel driving and other extreme sports.

"His Majesty tells the people of Malaysia to continue to be united to maintain unity, tolerance and work together," said the statement, signed by the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Mr Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

The King offered his thanks to the other Malay rulers who had chosen him as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Dec 13, 2016.

He has also expressed his highest appreciation to the Prime Minister and the federal government for their cooperation.

"As the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Majesty is very proud with the sacrifices and loyalty that has been shown to His Majesty and the country all this while," said Mr Wan Ahmad.

The palace gave no reason for the King's move.

But there had been a question mark over the reign of the King since he took a leave of absence for medical treatment in November last year.

Reports then circulated online that he had married a former Miss Moscow in Russia.

Royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumoured marriage or given any details about his health condition.

While their role is ceremonial, Malaysia's Islamic royalty command great respect, especially among Muslim Malays, and criticising them is strictly forbidden.

Speculation intensified over the king's future this week when the country's Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the ninestates headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

The rotating monarchy system has been in place since independence from Britain in 1957, and Sultan Muhammad V is the first monarch to have renounced the throne.

Sultan Muhammad V studied at St Cross College at Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, according to official media.

He is known for a relaxed public persona, taking part in walkathons to promote health and has been photographed wearing a baseball cap backwards.

The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.

Malaysia's sultans trace a lineage back to Malay sultanates of the 15th century.
Muhammad V is formally installed as the 15th King of Malaysia.