His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of the Malaysian State of Johor will take the oath as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
A new Yang di-Pertuan Agong, unofficially known as the King of Malaysia, will take the throne on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the Istana Negara, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Kuala Lumpur.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of the Malaysian State of Johor was appointed the country's 17th Sovereign after the Conference of Rulers met in the capital Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2023. The last time a Johor Sultan became King was 39 years ago when the new King’s father, Sultan Iskandar was proclaimed Malaysia's eighth king in 1984.
Their Majesties, the 16th and 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong are seen together following the meeting of the Conference of Rulers on October 26, 2023.
Unlike most monarchies remaining in the world, Malaysia has a constitutional elective federal monarchy, with a unique arrangement that sees the throne change hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty. While there are thirteen States of Malaysia, only nine of the Malay States have hereditary royal rulers who form the Conference of Rulers. The four additional state governors, Yang di-Pertua Negeri; heads of state without hereditary rulers, also attend the Conference, but only the hereditary rulers are allowed to vote and stand for election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
After a ruler has served as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he may not stand for election until all rulers of the other states have also stood for election.
The outgoing royal family, Their Majesties King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The role of the king in Malaysia is accorded considerable prestige, particularly among the country's Malay Muslim majority. Criticism deemed to incite contempt of the king can result in imprisonment. A coronation ceremony will occur later this year. Malaysia’s unique system has been in place since the country’s independence from Great Britain in 1957.
The outgoing king, His Majesty Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, ascended the throne in 2019.
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