PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim has been sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia at a ceremonious installation steeped in tradition at Istana Negara marking the start of his five-year reign.
Sultan Ibrahim, 65,from Johor, was seen donning the official ceremonial attire known as Muskat, complete with the Royal headdress, a buckle and a short dagger that compose the royal regalia.
The King and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia who was clad in gold Baju Kurung Johor entered the Balairung Seri of Istana Negara at 10.21 am to the sounds of the nafiri (trumpet) and the tune of “Raja Berangkat” played by the Perak Nobat (royal orchestra).
Once Their Majesties were seated, Grand Chamberlain Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini then approached to seek the consent of His Majesty to begin the ceremony.
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The Grand Chamberlain then brought 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 King also then kissed a copy of the Al-Quran to signify the start of the installation.
The Grand Chamberlain then presented the Proclamation Letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who read it out and formally proclaimed Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Sultan Ibrahim was then entrusted with the Government Keris, 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.
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The national anthem was then played, along with a royal 21-gun salute.
Anwar, representing the government and the people, then delivered his congratulatory message before the King and Queen.
Sultan Ibrahim then proceeded with his royal address to the people, pledging to lead the country in a just and fair manner as well as expressing his gratitude for those who made the installation ceremony a success.
Following the royal address, a Doa Selamat prayer was recited and the Grand Chamberlain then collected the Quran from the throne before declaring the installation ceremony had been officially completed.
Approximately 700 guests, including the Malay rulers, governors and foreign dignitaries and leaders attended the ceremony, which was streamed live on national television.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim was elected to the office by the Malay Rulers at the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers in October last year to reign for a five-year term which started on Jan 31.
Sultan Ibrahim replaced Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang, whose reign as the 16th King ended on Jan 30.
