Special meeting to select new Malaysian king cloaked in intrigue

Tinge of uncertainty as routine selection process thrown a curve ball

The abdication of the ailing 88-year-old Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang in favour of his son, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (above), 59, is widely viewed as a bid by the Pahang royal household to keep its place in the rotation, though it was to some
The abdication of the ailing 88-year-old Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang in favour of his son, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (above), 59, is widely viewed as a bid by the Pahang royal household to keep its place in the rotation, though it was to some extent anticipated. PHOTO: BERNAMA
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Thaipusam celebrations yesterday. Under Malaysia's rotation system in normal circumstances, the head of the Pahang royal household is next in line, followed by the Sultan of Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Thaipusam celebrations yesterday. Under Malaysia’s rotation system in normal circumstances, the head of the Pahang royal household is next in line, followed by the Sultan of Johor. PHOTO: BERNAMA
Leslie Lopez  Regional Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur
Updated
Jan 23, 2019, 11:48 AM
Published
Jan 23, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Malaysia's nine royal families will convene a special meeting tomorrow to pick the country's new king, or Yang Di-Pertuan Agong as he is officially referred to.

But what is normally a routine selection process has been shrouded this time in intrigue, some behind-the-scenes lobbying and a tinge of uncertainty, following the surprise resignation early this month of Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad V.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 23, 2019, with the headline Special meeting to select new Malaysian king cloaked in intrigue. Subscribe

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MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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