KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S former king Tuanku Jaafar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was the longest serving ruler of his southern state, has died at age 86, a report said on Sunday.

He died in hospital on Saturday after complaining of dizziness and chest discomfort, state secretary Norzam Mohamad Nor was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper.

'Tuanku Jaafar was still conscious when two doctors reached the palace. He was rushed to the hospital's intensive care unit,' the secretary said.

Mr Norzam said he was was given emergency treatment and several attempts were made to revive him, but he was pronounced dead about three hours later.

Tuanku Jaafar, a keen sportsman, was the 10th king of Malaysia from 1994 to 1999 and ruled the Negeri Sembilan state for 41 years. Cricket was said to be his number one passion.

Tuanku Jaafar, who took over the state throne after his brother Tuanku Munawir's death in 1967, leaves behind his wife, consort Tuanku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, three sons and three daughters.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has ordered for flags to be flown at half mast when the late ruler is laid to rest on Monday.

Malaysia has had an elected monarchy since independence from Britain in 1957.

In a unique arrangement the monarch is chosen by, and rotates among, the rulers of the nine Malaysian states still headed by royalty. Four other states are not headed by monarchs. -- AFP