His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor was sworn in today as the new King of Malaysia in a ceremony steeped in tradition at Istana Negara.
At the same ceremony, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, took the oath of office as the Deputy King.
Their Majesties were elected to the office, respectively, 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 from today.
Malaysia is one of 43 nations which practises the system of a constitutional monarchy, but the rotational system of electing a king from among nine Malay rulers is the only one of its kind in the world.
The ceremony at the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) was held during the 264th (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers presided over by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu.
Sultan Ibrahim also signed the proclamation of assuming the office of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Sultan Nazrin, the office of the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim then read out the instrument of the proclamation, officially signifying Sultan Ibrahim’s ascension to the federal throne as the new head of state of Malaysia in accordance with the laws and the Federal Constitution.
Istana Negara Religious Officer Datuk Munir Md Salleh, recited the ‘doa’ (prayers), seeking the blessings of Allah or the well-being of Their Majesties, the people and the nation.
Sultan Ibrahim replaced Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang whose five-year reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong ended yesterday.
Earlier, the private plane carrying His Majesty from the Senai International Airport landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Air Base at around 9.40 am.
Sultan Ibrahim was welcomed upon arrival by the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Laksamana Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah Sultan Salahuddin.
His Majesty then walked past a static honour guard mounted by two officers and 26 men from the 1st Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment, who performed the Royal Salute.
Accompanying His Majesty was Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as minister-in-attendance.
Thousands of people also gathered outside the RMAF air base to welcome the arrival of Sultan Ibrahim, waving affectionately to His Majesty as the motorcade headed towards Istana Negara.
His Majesty arrived at Istana Negara at 10.40am and was greeted on arrival by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Sultan Ibrahim then inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the 1st Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment.
The Malay Rulers have also arrived at Istana Negara to attend the 264th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers (Special) in conjunction with the swearing-in ceremony of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu was expected to preside over the meeting which was scheduled to take place at the Throne Room at 11am.
Among those spotted arriving as at 9.45am were the Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor and Yang di-Pertua Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
Also present were the two Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.