Sultan Ibrahim sworn in as 17th King of Malaysia
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The 17th King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, lifts a ceremonial dagger during his coronation in Kuala Lumpur on July 20.
PHOTO: AFP
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PETALING JAYA - Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar was sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia at a ceremony steeped in tradition at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur on July 20, marking the start of his five-year reign.
Sultan Ibrahim, 65, who hails from Johor, was seen donning the official ceremonial attire known as muskat, and the royal regalia, which composes the royal headdress, a buckle and a short dagger.
The King and his wife, Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah, entered the throne hall, the Balairung Seri of Istana Negara, at about 10.20am.
The Queen was clad in a gold baju kurung and the pair entered the hall to the sounds of the nafiri – a kind of trumpet – and the tune of Raja Berangkat played by the royal orchestra.
Once the King and Queen were seated, the Grand Chamberlain, Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, approached them to seek the consent of the King to begin the ceremony.
The Grand Chamberlain then brought into the hall a copy of the Quran and the rest of the regalia, including the government keris – a dagger that symbolises regal power and authority, the proclamation letter and the oath of installation.
The King also kissed a copy of the Quran to signify the start of the installation.
The Grand Chamberlain presented the proclamation letter to Prime Minister 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, placing 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 (Long live the King)”, three times.
The national anthem was played, along with a royal 21-gun salute.
Datuk Seri Anwar, representing the government and the people, delivered his congratulatory message before the King and Queen.
Sultan Ibrahim proceeded with his royal address to the people.
He pledged to lead the country in a just and fair manner and expressed gratitude for those who made the installation ceremony a success.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) and Mrs Lee with Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur, on July 20.
PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
Following the royal address, a prayer was recited and the Grand Chamberlain collected the Quran from the throne before declaring the installation ceremony had been officially completed.
Approximately 700 guests, including Malay rulers, governors, and foreign dignitaries and leaders, attended the ceremony, which was broadcast live on national television.
Sultan Ibrahim was elected to the office by the Malay Rulers at the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers in October 2023 to reign for a five-year term, which started on Jan 31.
Sultan Ibrahim replaced Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin of Pahang, whose reign as the 16th King ended on Jan 30. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK