ALOR STAR • Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir has asked the public not to believe unverified reports on social media about the health of the Malaysian King, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah, who went for a medical check-up at the National Heart Institute on Thursday evening.

"I plead with everyone not to be too fast in believing news that has not been verified by Istana Negara," he told reporters yesterday after an official function in Kedah. Istana Negara refers to the national palace.

Datuk Mukhriz was asked to comment on social media speculation about the King's ill-health.

Sultan Abdul Halim is the Kedah ruler. Under Malaysia's unique rotational monarchy, the rulers of the nine royal houses take turns every five years to become the ceremonial head of state.

The current King, who is 88 years old, underwent a "scheduled medical check-up" at the heart institute, or IJN, the Istana said in a statement yesterday.

Royal Household Comptroller Awang Kechik Abdul Rahman said the King was driven to IJN at 10.30pm on Thursday in his official car.

He added that the King was resting, and was expected to resume his duties soon.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK