KUALA LUMPUR: The installation of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong is set to take place today in a ceremony steeped in royal Malay customs and tradition at Istana Negara, a historic event under the country’s unique system of constitutional monarchy.

To be held at Balairung Seri or the Throne Room of Istana Negara in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, the installation ceremony will formally mark the beginning of the five-year reign of Sultan Abdullah as the head of state of Malaysia.

The installation will certainly be of historical significance and sentimental value to Sultan Abdullah and Her Majesty Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah as it takes place on the 60th birthday of His Majesty.

As part of the preparations for today’s event, Istana Negara, as the grand venue, has been beautifully and meticulously decorated to add gaiety to the occasion, highlighting its stature as the landmark of the constitutional monarchy system practised by Malaysia.

Istana Negara’s Grand Chamberlain (Datuk Paduka Maharajalela) Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini aptly said: “The time has come for the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be installed, with the legacy to uphold the Institution of Constitutional Monarchy.”

The installation ceremony itself, dignified and resplendent, stands testament to the perpetuity of the reign of the Malay monarch in the 62 years since the independence of the country. Fifteen rulers have been installed in a similar ceremony steeped in tradition.

This will be the second time that a sultan from Pahang is installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after His Majesty’s father, the late Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, was installed as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong and reigned from April 1979 to April 1984.

Sultan Abdullah was proclaimed as the sixth Sultan of Pahang, succeeding his father on Jan 15, and was elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers on Jan 24 and sworn in on Jan 31.

“The preparations at Istana Negara have been meticulously made to meet the expectations of Their Majesties and, of course, without a flaw or imperfection. With the help of the thousands who are involved (in the preparations), we pray that all the hard work will materialise,” said Azuan Effendy.

About 700 guests, comprising also the Malay Rulers, Yang Dipertuas Negeri and Cabinet ministers, are expected to attend and witness the ceremony.

Among them will be foreign royal dignitaries, including the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan.

The ceremony begins at 9am and will be broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and other television stations. — Bernama </s> KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 — The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, ascends the throne as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara tomorrow.

Sultan Abdullah is scheduled to take his oath of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and sign the instrument of the oath of office in a ceremony witnessed by the other Malay Rulers at the 252nd special meeting of the Conference of Rulers at the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) of the palace.

Sultan Abdullah, who will reign for a five-year term from tomorrow, succeeds Sultan Muhammad V, the Sultan of Kelantan, who stepped down on January 6 as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong after having reigned for about two years from December 13, 2016.

Tomorrow will also see the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, taking his oath of office as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara, also to reign for a five-year term.

The election of Sultan Abdullah as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reflected the consensus and harmony among the Malay Rulers in arriving at their decision based on the unique rotational basis of the election in accordance with the Federal Constitution, upholding the system of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy practised in Malaysia. — Bernama </s> KUALA LUMPUR: Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was today officially installed as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a glorious ceremony in keeping with the splendour of the constitutional monarchy of Malaysia.

Following is the oath which Sultan Abdullah took as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the installation at Balairung Seri (Throne Room) of Istana Negara:

“We, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, express our gratefulness to Allah (God) for, with His will, we have been elected to be the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“We hereby declare to justly perform our duties in reigning Malaysia in accordance with the laws and the Constitution and faithfully uphold, at all times, the Religion of Islam and stand firmly with the just and peaceful administration of the country.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad read out the Instrument of Proclamation of Sultan Abdullah as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as follows:

“It is hereby proclaimed to one and all as well as the people of Malaysia that Their Royal Highnesses, the Rulers, have elected His Majesty, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, on this glorious day, time and second to be installed on the throne of the Government of Malaysia as His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI.” – Bernama </s> SUBANG, July 29 — The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, flew in here today to attend the installation of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

The sultan, who was accompanied by his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, arrived at noon at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base. Their Majesties were accompanied by a 20-member entourage.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, welcomed the royal visitors at the airbase.

Also present was the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah.

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was also at the airbase to greet the sultan and his consort. He is the minister-in-attendance.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the two foreign royal dignitaries who will attend the installation of Sultan Abdullah as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara tomorrow.

The other is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan, who is expected to arrive tomorrow morning.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha are also scheduled to attend the Royal Banquet at Istana Negara on Wednesday in conjunction with the installation. — Bernama </s> KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, will take the oath of office as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong today to reign for a five-year term.

The swearing-in and signing of the instrument of the oath of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be held at the 252nd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) of Istana Negara.

At the same ceremony, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, will take the oath of office as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, also to reign for five years.

Sultan Abdullah will also sign the instrument of the declaration of the holding of office, the contents of which will be read out by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Sultan Abdullah and his consort, Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, are scheduled to leave Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan as early as 7 am to board a flight to the federal capital.

They are scheduled to arrive at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang at 8.30am.

According to the programme, the royal entourage will proceed to Parliament Square for the official reception and then head to Istana Negara.

Sultan Abdullah succeeds Sultan Muhammad V, the Sultan of Kelantan, who stepped down on Jan 6 as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong after having reigned for about two years from Dec 13, 2016. — Bernama </s> KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today performed the Friday prayers at the Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru here.

The King arrived at the mosque at 1.12 pm and accompanied by the Mufti of Federal Territories Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.

Imam Muhammad Asem Salleh Sani delivered the Friday sermon titled ‘Raja DiDaulat, Negara Dimartabat’ before leading the congregation of almost 7,000 in performing the Friday prayers.

After the prayers, Sultan Abdullah spent some time mingling and shaking hands with the congregation before leaving the mosque at 2.20pm.

Sultan Abdullah was appointed as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year reign beginning Jan 31, following the unprecedented resignation of Sultan Muhammad V as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on January 6.

The special meeting of the Conference of Rulers, which was chaired by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin on January 24, also elected Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak as the Timbalan (Deputy) Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the same period.

The swearing in ceremony for both the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held at the Istana Negara yesterday. — Bernama </s> SEPANG, Jan 31 — The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, flew in to the KL International Airport (KLIA) here today to take the oath of office as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara.

Sultan Abdullah and his consort, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, flew in to KLIA in a special aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Kuantan, arriving at the Bunga Raya Complex of KLIA at about 9.10am.

Their Majesties were welcomed on arrival by Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and Tengku Laksamana Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin.

Also present were Majlis Rasmi Kerajaan chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali, who is also Senior Deputy Secretary-General, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Deputy Secretary-General (Management), PMO, Datuk Junaidah Kamarruddin and senior government officials.

Their Majesties walked past a guard-of-honour mounted by two officers and 26 men led by Captain Abdul Munir Mohani @ Che Omar of the 1st Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment from the Wardieburn Camp in Kuala Lumpur.

Sultan Abdullah, accompanied by Tunku Azizah, proceeded to Parliament Square for the official welcoming ceremony before going to Istana Negara for the swearing-in and signing of the instrument of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sultan Abdullah was elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the 251st (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Jan 24 to reign for a five-year term from today.

His Majesty succeeds Sultan Muhammad V, the Sultan of Kelantan, who stepped down as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 6 after reigning for just over two years from Dec 13, 2016. — Bernama </s> SINGAPORE, Jan 31 — Singapore leaders have conveyed congratulations to Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who was sworn in today as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

President Halimah Yacob, in her congratulatory message, said: “On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Your Majesty on the auspicious occasion of Your Majesty’s assumption of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Your Majesty is widely respected for your generosity and concern for the welfare of Malaysians from all walks of life. I am confident that under Your Majesty’s leadership, Malaysia will continue to enjoy prosperity and progress,” she said.

Halimah noted that Singapore and Malaysia enjoy a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, underpinned by strong bonds between the peoples.

“I look forward to working closely with Your Majesty to further strengthen bilateral ties between our two countries. My husband and I take this opportunity to wish Your Majesty and Her Majesty, the Raja Permaisuri Agong, good health and happiness,” she said.

Sultan Abdullah, 59, was sworn in today as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in tradition at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. His Majesty was elected to the office by the Malay Rulers at the 251st (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Jan 24 to reign for a five-year term from today.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his congratulatory message, said: “On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on Your Majesty’s assumption of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”

“With Your Majesty’s wisdom and grace, I am confident that Malaysia will reach even greater heights of progress and success.”

Lee noted that Malaysia and Singapore shared a long and unique history built on close people-to-people ties and mutually-beneficial cooperation across many sectors.

“We also work well in regional and international fora. I am confident that our bilateral ties will strengthen further during Your Majesty’s reign. Ho Ching and I take this opportunity to send Your Majesty and Her Majesty, the Raja Permaisuri Agong, our respects and best wishes.” — Bernama </s> KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — Malaysians once again witnessed a historic moment as Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is officially installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in Malay royal customs and tradition.

Sultan Abdullah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah entered the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) of Istana Negara at 10.45 am.

The royal couple were escorted in by Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela (Grand Chamberlain) Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, flanked by Warrior Mace Bearers and Royal Regalia Warrior Bearers, accompanied by the rhythm of the trumpet-like instrument known as 'nafiri' played by Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and the percussion of the Terengganu Royal Nobat Ensemble.

The Cogan Alam (Mace of the Universe) and the Cogan Agama (Mace of Religion) are part of the Royal regalia which bear great significance in the installation ceremony and symbolise the greatness of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Government of Malaysia.

Sultan Abdullah, attired in the official Yang di-Pertuan Agong's black and gold embroidered ‘Muskat’, and Tunku Azizah dressed in a beautiful ivory white attire and matching scarf, then proceeded to the royal dais.

The ceremony was broadcast live via the national television station which allowed the public to witness the historic event, which also falls on the King’s 60th birthday.

Apart from the Malay Rulers and their respective consorts, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan and the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha were also present at the ceremony.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Malay Rulers, heads of state, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, as well as other distinguished guests comprising foreign envoys and senior government officials.

Once Their Majesties were seated, the Grand Chamberlain then requested the King's consent to begin the installation ceremony by bringing in a copy of the Quran and the rest of the regalia into the Balairung Seri including the Keris Panjang Diraja (Government Keris), the Proclamation Letter, and the Oath of Installation.

The Quran, which symbolises Islam as the official religion of the country, was then presented to Sultan Abdullah, who kissed it before placing it on a table to his left.

The Grand Chamberlain then presented the Proclamation Letter to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who read it out and formally proclaimed Sultan Abdullah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was then entrusted with the Government Keris, which he drew out, kissed, and returned to its scabbard and placed it on the table to his left, before taking the oath as Malaysia’s new King.

Right after the oath, the Grand Chamberlain led the hall in proclaiming 'Daulat Tuanku', three times.

The national anthem was then played, along with a royal 21-gun salute.

Dr Mahathir, representing the Government and the people, then delivered his congratulatory message before Sultan Abdullah proceeded with his address to the people.

Following the royal address, the Istana Negara's Religious Officer Datuk Abd Aziz Che Yacob recite the Doa Selamat prayer and the Grand Chamberlain then collected the Quran from the throne before declaring the installation ceremony had been officially completed

The royal couple was then escorted out of the Balairung Seri by the Grand Chamberlain and Ceremonial Chief, accompanied by warriors carrying the Royal Regalia.

Sultan Abdullah was sworn in and signed his oath of office as Malaysia’s new King on Jan 31 to replace Sultan Muhammad V who stepped down on Jan 6.

His Majesty was proclaimed as the sixth Sultan of Pahang, succeeding his late father Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, on Jan 15 and was elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers on Jan 24. — Bernama
Al-Sultan Abdullah is crowned as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur.