Sultan Ibrahim of Johor becomes the new king of Malaysia
Elected in January by the Conference of Rulers in one of the few elected monarchies in the world, he will remain in office for five years. This morning’s ceremony was held in the main square of the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. For Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the monarchy guarantees equality and justice for all Malaysian citizens. The sovereign is also the head of Islam.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor, who ascended the royal throne on 31 January this year, was officially installed today as the 17th king of Malaysia. He succeeds Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Sultan of Pahang, whose five-year reign ended on 30 January.
The Conference of Rulers, which includes the leaders of nine Malay states, picks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the king), with this office de facto rotating between them, making Malaysia one of the few elected monarchies in the world.
Sultan Ibrahim will reign over the country for a five-year term starting this year.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Balairung, the main square of Istana Negara (National Palace) in Kuala Lumpur, involved members of the army, air force and navy, symbolising the National Defence Forces' pledge of allegiance to the monarch as their supreme commander.
Earlier in the day, Sultan Ibrahim and his consort, Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah, went to the Royal Dais, accompanied by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Sultan Ibrahim was dressed in Muskat (the official dress of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong), while the Queen wore a Kurung Johor dress with golden hibiscus embroidery.
More than 700 guests, including Malay rulers, governors, and foreign dignitaries, attended the inauguration ceremony at the National Palace, which was broadcast live on national television.
The foreign guests included Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.
Greeting the new king, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a pillar of strength for the country and its diverse population, as it guarantees equality and justice for all Malaysians in line with the principles of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
The role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is also that of local head of Islam, which is the federal religion. He is also tasked with strengthening the position of the Malay language and defending the rights of ethnic Malays and the Bumiputera, the Indigenous people of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) and East Malaysia.
“The installation of His Majesty today marks a historical event that will be able to raise the dignity of the country,” added Anwar, who also mentioned the king's crucial role in ensuring Malaysia close ties with ASEAN member states, Islamic countries, and internationally.
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